Firebird Review: A Fierce, Stirring Russian Romance with Solid leads
Firebird is a serene yet evocative portrayal of deep emotions. Peeter Rebane, the writer-director, does a fantastic job adapting Sergey Fetisov's Russian novel into an English-language period drama. The true draw is co-writer tom Prior's and Oleg Zagorodnii's (Who Are You) performances, as the film sings whenever they are alone. Several shots of fighter jets accentuate Firebird, despite the fact that the picture is a drama about two men separated by Russian law. From a technical sense, the movie had some brilliant moments. However, in terms of set design, music, and other aspects, it falls short of expectations. Firebird begins slowly, but the intensely palpable love between the two leads holds the audience's attention throughout.
In 1970s Russia, Sergey (Prior) and Roman (Zagorodnii) are both enlisted in the military, despite the fact that homosexuality is legally prohibited. Two factors stand in the way of their love: a higher-up who is hell-bent on uncovering their secrets and seeing the greatest punishment meted out, and Roman's relationship with Luisa (Diana Pozharskaya). Despite the fact that the two men had a passionate, albeit brief, sexual awakening, it is always on Roman's terms. Sergey eventually leaves the army to attend acting school. As Sergey grows more at ease in his own skin, Roman considers marrying Luisa solely to protect Sergey from criminal prosecution. The Russian military establishment is still attempting to out them as gay as time and new revelations encroach on their capacity to be around one another.
Both protagonists are natural performers, but Rebane stands out in this aspect, making the most of his opportunity. In Firebird, everyone is on the same page, whether they play little or important roles. Perhaps it's because this is a true incident, but nothing feels out of place in this portrayal of 1970s Russia. Similarly, no effort is made to mention The Beatles or the advent of the microwave to inform the audience of the film's setting. It was a stroke of genius to combine CGI with actual planes. In a film this fantastic, though, moving to two jets taking off during a sex scene between the leads is data-borderline banal.
In 1970s Russia, Sergey (Prior) and Roman (Zagorodnii) are both enlisted in the military, despite the fact that homosexuality is legally prohibited. Two factors stand in the way of their love: a higher-up who is hell-bent on uncovering their secrets and seeing the greatest punishment meted out, and Roman's relationship with Luisa (Diana Pozharskaya). Despite the fact that the two men had a passionate, albeit brief, sexual awakening, it is always on Roman's terms. Sergey eventually leaves the army to attend acting school. As Sergey grows more at ease in his own skin, Roman considers marrying Luisa solely to protect Sergey from criminal prosecution. The Russian military establishment is still attempting to out them as gay as time and new revelations encroach on their capacity to be around one another.
Both protagonists are natural performers, but Rebane stands out in this aspect, making the most of his opportunity. In Firebird, everyone is on the same page, whether they play little or important roles. Perhaps it's because this is a true incident, but nothing feels out of place in this portrayal of 1970s Russia. Similarly, no effort is made to mention The Beatles or the advent of the microwave to inform the audience of the film's setting. It was a stroke of genius to combine CGI with actual planes. In a film this fantastic, though, moving to two jets taking off during a sex scene between the leads is data-borderline banal.