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Firebird

Play trailer 1:51 Poster for Firebird R 2022 1h 47m Drama Romance LGBTQ+ History Play Trailer Watchlist
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57% Tomatometer 49 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Firebird is a touching love story set in the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War. Sergey, a troubled young private, is counting the days till his military service ends. His life is turned upside down when a daring fighter pilot, Roman arrives at the base. Driven by curiosity, Sergey and Roman navigate the precarious line between love and friendship as a dangerous love triangle forms between them and Luisa, the secretary to the base Commander. Sergey is forced to face his past as Roman's career is endangered and Luisa struggles to keep her family together. As the walls close in, they risk their freedom and their lives in the face of an escalating KGB investigation and the fear of the all-seeing Soviet regime. Based on a true story.
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Firebird

Firebird

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Critics Consensus

Firebird's intentions are admirable, but they're largely thwarted by a frustratingly muted approach to its central love story.

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Critics Reviews

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Cary Darling Houston Chronicle 04/29/2022
3/5
Even though this beautifully shot and generally well-acted British-Estonian co-production is based on a memoir, it feels too PBS polite, as if the edges have been rubbed away from the real story to appeal to as wide an audience as possible Go to Full Review Jude Dry IndieWire 04/29/2022
B-
Prior and Zagorodnii are both so watchable, and their chemistry so electric, that it’s easy to get swept away in their romance. Historical accuracy be damned. Go to Full Review Nell Minow RogerEbert.com 04/29/2022
3/4
A swooningly romantic love story. Go to Full Review Sarah Vincent Cambridge Day 06/09/2024
2/4
The first half of the film is torn between being a forbidden romance and a Cold War action-cum-romance like “Top Gun,” with dashes of bootcamp torture. The film finds its footing in the second half when Fetisov pursues acting in cosmopolitan Moscow Go to Full Review Josh Parham Next Best Picture 06/08/2022
5/10
One can glean an earnestness from telling this true tale of a romantic entanglement that forced its participants apart, but leaning on historical context does not negate the formulaic execution. Go to Full Review Michael Ward Should I See It 06/05/2022
2.5/5
...this all becomes very heavy-handed and very on-the-nose. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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George D 05/23/2022 Tender and romantic story of 2 Estonian soldiers See more Zoran T 05/19/2022 Good story, cheesy and superficial dialogs and dramaturgy, not such good directing, not the greatest acting (but not entirely terrible all the time), nice cinematography... and iiiinsanely handsome two leading actors! See more Peggy 05/14/2022 Very captivating true life story of love, bravery, and loss See more Rod S 05/09/2022 This story shows the strength of love, even in the adversity of a repressive military environment. See more Thomas 05/09/2022 Great acting Wonderful storyline The filming is excellent! See more David 05/08/2022 This movie was a struggle of love between two military men during difficult times! It was extremely well acted and the story-line was enlightening! See more Read all reviews
Firebird

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Cast & Crew

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Peeter Rebane

Director

Tom Prior

Sergey

Nicholas Woodeson

Colonel Kuznetsov

Oleg Zagorodnii

Roman

Diana Pozharskaya

Luisa

Margus Prangel

Major Zverev

Movie Clips

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Firebird

Firebird: Movie Clip - Listen to Me Firebird: Movie Clip - Listen to Me 0:39 Now Playing Firebird: Movie Clip - Do You Have a Girl Back Home? Firebird: Movie Clip - Do You Have a Girl Back Home? 1:50 Now Playing View more videos

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Firebird

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Firebird

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Movie Info

Synopsis Firebird is a touching love story set in the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War. Sergey, a troubled young private, is counting the days till his military service ends. His life is turned upside down when a daring fighter pilot, Roman arrives at the base. Driven by curiosity, Sergey and Roman navigate the precarious line between love and friendship as a dangerous love triangle forms between them and Luisa, the secretary to the base Commander. Sergey is forced to face his past as Roman's career is endangered and Luisa struggles to keep her family together. As the walls close in, they risk their freedom and their lives in the face of an escalating KGB investigation and the fear of the all-seeing Soviet regime. Based on a true story.
Director
Peeter Rebane
Producer
Tom Prior, Peeter Rebane, Brigita Rozenbrika
Screenwriter
Peeter Rebane, Tom Prior
Distributor
Roadside Attractions
Production Co
Firebird Production, No Reservations Entertainment, Film Estonia, The Factory
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
Drama, Romance, LGBTQ+, History
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 29, 2022, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA)
$143.7K
Runtime
1h 47m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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