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Hot off its successful world-wide festival run of sold-out screenings and numerous awards, including playing LA’s Outfest, NYC’s NewFest, San Francisco’s Frameline, and London’s BFI Flare, Roadside Attractions has acquired North American distribution rights to Peeter Rebane’s critically-acclaimed theatrical feature directorial debut, Firebird. Based on a true story which took place in the Soviet Union during the Cold War, Firebird was shot in English with an international cast on location in Estonia and Russia with extraordinary production design and period detail. Roadside plans the exclusive theatrical release on April 29, 2022.
Based on a true story during the Cold War, Firebird is a passionate love story set against the backdrop of a Soviet Air Force base in Estonia during late 1970’s Communist rule. Sergey (Tom Prior), a soulful, young soldier who dreams of becoming an actor in Moscow, is counting the days until his military service ends. His life turned upside down when he locks eyes with Roman (Oleg Zagorodnii), a sexy, enigmatic ace fighter pilot newly assigned to his base. Driven by their undeniable attraction, Sergey and Roman navigate the precarious line between love and friendship at a time when Soviet men in uniform caught having a sexual affair was met with the severest punishment. As their friendship grows into love, the men risk their freedom and their lives to be together in the face of an all-seeing Soviet regime.
In addition to Prior (The Theory of Everything, Kingsman: The Secret Service), the film stars Oleg Zagorodnii (The Choice, Dzhamayka), Diana Pozharskaya (The Unknown Soldier, Hotel Eleon, Senior Mafia, Eclipse), Jake Thomas Henderson (The Family that Could Talk About Anything),
Margus Prangel (Klass: Elu pärast) and Nicholas Woodeson (The Death of Stalin, The Danish Girl, Skyfall).
Roadside Attractions’ Co-Presidents Howard Cohen & Eric d’Arbeloff stated, “Peeter Rebane and Tom Prior’s film is both a gorgeous love story and a reminder of how lucky we are to live freely and openly, when at other times and in other places even today, others cannot. Tom Prior has created an unforgettable character in his portrayal of Sergey, a man whose desire to be true to himself should inspire us all.”
Director, co-writer Peeter Rebane commented, “This powerful story of one man’s journey influenced me personally having grown up in the USSR. A story as relevant today as it was almost 50 years ago, it is especially meaningful to share our core message – that love is love. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Firebird in the incredible hands of the team at Roadside Attractions. They are passionate about independent film and highly skilled at delivering meaningful stories to audiences that move the needle on subjects and issues so relevant to the world we live in today.”
The film is Written by Peeter Rebane and Tom Prior and Produced by Brigita Rozenbrika. Additional producers include Christopher Racster, Orlan Boston and Dankuro Shinma. Executive Producers include Michael Edelstein and Mauro Durant. Cinematography is by Mait Maekivi (ESC). Costume Design by Mare Raidma and Marjatta Nissinen. Original Score Composed by Krzysztof A. Janczak. Casting by Beatrice Kruger (CSA, ICDN, UICD).
Howard Cohen negotiated on behalf of Roadside Attractions and Peeter Rebane with Michael Donaldson and Jamie Shepard at Donaldson Callif Perez negotiated on behalf of the filmmakers.
Tim Grohne at the Factory is handling international distribution rights.