Moscow wants to silence this film
He’s a thorn in Moscow’s side. Because the film “Firebird” tells the story of homosexual Soviet soldiers, it should disappear from the scene – but the makers are fighting.
“A slap in the face to the Russian soldiers”: This is what the Russian media called the film “Firebird” after its premiere. The film takes place in Soviet-occupied Estonia in the 1970s. The young Soviet fighter pilot Roman falls in love with conscript Sergey while stationed in Estonia.
The love of the two soldiers must remain secret, because homosexuality is a criminal offense in the Soviet Union and fighter pilot Roman is already being observed by the Soviet secret service KGB. The story is based on the autobiography of the Russian Sergey Festisov, who died in 2017, and is therefore based on a true story.
Scenes shot in Moscow
Filming started in September 2018, initially in Estonia. Despite the laws in force in Russia, which are intended to significantly restrict the visibility of homosexuality, several of the film’s exterior scenes were also shot in Moscow. “A great local production company paid the right people and kind of made it happen,” actor Tom Prior, who plays Sergey, told The Guardian.
The film finally celebrated its premiere in March 2021 at the digital LGBTIQ+ Film Festival. Far more surprising: the production was initially approved for the Moscow International Film Festival, but repression began soon after. Only one of the planned performances actually took place. A complaint was then filed that branded the film “gay propaganda,” Prior explains.
Problems not only in Russia
A total of 93 articles about the film were published – only one of them positive. In addition to the “slap in the face of the Russian soldier”, another newspaper headlined: “An Estonian, a Briton and a Ukrainian shame Moscow”. “He wasn’t actually banned, but all the tickets were cancelled,” Prior recalls. “The film was played to an empty auditorium,” the actor continued.
After the outbreak of war, the film now faces problems outside of Russia. Other countries are reluctant to show “Firebird” because Russian stories are currently frowned upon. This annoys actor Prior. “Russia silenced this film,” he says. “They don’t want it shown, so if you don’t show it, you’re doing in a way what Putin wants,” Prior continued. He therefore wants to continue working on getting this message out into the world.
Actor is personally affected
The film is a multinational co-production: director Peeter Rebane is from Estonia. Actor Tom Prior is British, while Oleg Zagorodnii (Roman) lives in Ukraine. For his role, 34-year-old Zagorodnii had to learn English in three months and complete five-day shooting training. Skills he would like to use after the Russian attack on his country. “Now if someone gives me a gun, I know how to use it,” the actor told the British daily The Guardian.
He has already volunteered twice for the Ukrainian army, but was told that there were currently more volunteers than military equipment. Besides acting, Zagorodnii runs a café in Kyiv, which he now uses to distribute food, supplies and military equipment.
Zagorodnii sees parallels between “Firebird” and his country’s struggle. “Sergey and Roman are willing to die for their love,” he says. “And in Ukraine we are ready to die for our freedom, our country, our people.”
The Ukrainian sees his plans for the future destroyed. “Before the war I had plans for my future. Now I understand that my dreams died because I need to stay here and be with my people. I don’t know about the future. I only understand that every day there is more death and destruction brings,” he laments. Before the war, his country was independent and just wanted to be left alone. “I don’t understand why Russia did that,” said Zagorodnii.
