Overview
A forbidden love ignites amidst the tensions of the Cold War, challenging the very fabric of loyalty and freedom.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- swooning
- melancholic
- earnest
- romantic drama night
- historical film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the leads' chemistry, heartfelt performances, visual polish, and romantic conviction while finding the screenplay clichéd, overly polite, and melodramatic.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sergey and Roman risk imprisonment and career destruction because Soviet authorities punish sexual relationships between men in uniform.
The central relationship unfolds on a Soviet Air Force base under strict military discipline and scrutiny.
Critics repeatedly note the film's strong production values and the gleaming blues and reds of uniforms and flags.
The story is based on a true account of gay men navigating Soviet repression during the late 1970s.
Films like Firebird, and why
Aimee & Jaguar
historical queer romance shaped by persecution, secrecy, and the threat of state authority
The Imitation Game
period lgbtq+ love story balancing intimacy with institutional repression and personal risk
Brokeback Mountain
sweeping, tragic queer romance centered on forbidden desire and social constraint
Carol
romantic historical drama where love conflicts with military and political systems
Movie Details
- Director
- Peeter Rebane
- Release Date
- 2021-10-29
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (249)
Cast
- Tom Prior
- Oleg Zagorodnii
- Diana Pozharskaya
- Jake Henderson
- Margus Prangel
- Nicholas Woodeson
- Ester Kuntu
- Kaspar Velberg
- Sergei Lavrentyev
- Rasmus Kaljujärv
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Firebird about?
- On a Soviet Air Force base, a young soldier and an ace pilot risk everything to sustain a forbidden love under Cold War repression.
- What is Firebird like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Firebird as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Firebird violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Firebird as mild.
- What did critics think of Firebird?
- Critics broadly praised the leads' chemistry, heartfelt performances, visual polish, and romantic conviction while finding the screenplay clichéd, overly polite, and melodramatic.
- Which films are like Firebird?
- Films with a similar feel include Aimee & Jaguar, The Imitation Game, Brokeback Mountain, and Carol.
- How long is Firebird?
- Firebird runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Firebird?
- In United States, Firebird is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
