Firebird

If you've seen Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain you won't feel very compelled to see this, but you should. The main premise is quite similar: two lovers in an extremely homophobic environment form a bubble where their love can thrive through stealing time from their own ordinary obligtions to keep their love alive. The context is slightly different, since we're dealing with a Cold-War airforce in Russia where homosexuality is punishable by prison. The two male leads are conving and attractive, with erotic scenes on the right side of tasteful. As usual, epilogues in these sorts of stories tend to be predictable, but as with everything else, it's the road that matters, not the goal. Also, the fact that it's based on a true story lends it some more weight to keep it from turning into an amalgam of Titanic and Brokeback Mountain.

Imagine, if you will, a tense time where if the Air Force discovered one was in a same sex relationship, it was grounds to be locked away in prison for five years. This came from Estonia must be a big deal for Eastern European countries, which are still super conservative when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. But why was this shot in English then?

In the episode where Sergei develops a photos, we see a close-up of his hands with long nails and a manicure. Nobody told Tom Prior that it was impossible in the Soviet army? ;)

This is a lovestory you need to see! The forbitten story of two souls so deeply in love just makes you stop and hope, that nobody can never catch them in act. The storyline just makes you stop a heartbeat and fall into their challenges and dreams.

Actors were really well chosen and ofcourse good to watch due do absolutely stunning appearances. The audenticity of Soviet Era was well played with all the machinery, buildings, outfits and hairstyles. Costume makers have brilliantly served the styles of this strict and conservative era.

And ofcourse bonus points for such a important message to share with the world!

Loved it!

An outstanding experience in cinema. Firebird is a piece of history from USSR Cold War worth its stunning images in gold!. This movie is so filled with passion and filled with amazing performances you can't help but to watch in aw. Highly recommended! I saw this at Outfest and I must say of all the films I saw, this one was truly my personal favorite and the best picture I saw. When it is out, do not hesitate to seek it out!