Back to the Cold War.
The debut feature film from Estonian director Peeter Rebane, Firebird, is set for its U.S. theatrical release. Set during the Cold War, the film will be released on April 29, 2022, and is a passionate love story on an air force base in 1970s Soviet-occupied Estonia. The project is based on a true story.
"Firebird follows Estonian private Sergey (Tom Prior), who is awaiting the end of his term in the Soviet air force in the late 1970s when he falls for Roman, a daring fighter pilot played by Oleg Zagorodnii. Both a Cold War thriller and a true story of a secret love, Rebane's feature highlights the steamy passions of young gay romance in an environment where expressing such feelings is lethal. The pair soon realize that pursuing this clandestine affair -- and even openly declaring their love for each other -- means risking their safety, Roman's career in the Soviet air force, and their relationship with their most beloved friend from the academy, Luisa (Diana Pozharskaya)."
The project is 107 minutes and a new U.S. trailer was released today.
The film had its world premiere in March 2021 at the BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival and then also screened at Frameline: San Francisco LGBTQ+ Film Festival. It won an honorable mention for Best First Feature.
The film has also screened at Moscow International Film Festival, Durban International Film Festival, Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival, and Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival.
Last year, The Advocate debuted an exclusive clip from the project.
