Review by James Lindorf
This weekend the All Genders, Lifestyles, and Identities Film Festival (aGLIFF) welcomed filmmakers to Austin for the 34th annual PRISM LGBTQ+ Film Festival screenings. This year’s event was again a hybrid affair with both in-person and online events. Two of this year’s standout films are “Firebird,” a story of forbidden love, and “Boulevard! A Hollywood Story,” about the first attempt at a musical version of the Hollywood classic “Sunset Boulevard.”
FIREBIRD
Based on actual events depicted in Sergey Fetisov’s memoir “The Story of Roman,” Firebird” is a touching love story set in the Soviet Air Force. At the height of the Cold War, Private Sergey Fetisov was counting down the days until the end of his required military service. Unsure of what will come next, Sergey bounces from one dream to another, with none of them taking a firm hold in his heart. When Roman, a daring fighter pilot, arrives at the base Sergey’s life is forever changed. Their attraction and curiosity drive the pair to blur the lines between friendship and romance in an era where homosexuality wasn’t just frowned upon but would lead to incarceration and often death. At the same time they are living in secret, Roman begins a relationship with Luisa, the secretary to the Base Commander and Sergey’s friend. The relationship between Sergey and Roman will face threats to their freedom in the form of a dangerous love triangle and escalating KGB investigation. Will their love last a lifetime, fizzle out under the weight of society’s scorn, or will it cost them everything?
“Firebird” has all of the elements to be a heartwarming and tragic period romance. After a year and a half of isolation, lockdowns, and frustrations, it has the power to drive audiences to tears. For those that aren’t as desperate for human interaction, “Firebird” will come just a bit short of a textbook landing. It is a beautiful-looking film, but the gloss doesn’t stop with the cinematography. Everything was polished to the point it lost all the texture that can grab and keep your attention. The Soviet uniforms look great, but they look like they are right off the rack. Jokes are made about the suffering of the citizens under the USSR, but we never see any of that firsthand. Everything except gay rights seems pretty good as people enjoy shopping trips, wild parties, and attending the theater. The performances are wonderful all around but lack depth until later in the film. Still, it does appear with the discovery of the love triangle and disclosure from Sergey’s past. His story may not belong in the movie as currently presented. Still, it is a heartbreaking moment that couldn’t be left out of the final product. “Firebird” is an endearing reminder that love is love and always has been no matter who was involved and earned a 4 out of 5.
Director: Peeter Rebane
Writers: Peeter Rebane, Tom Prior
Cast: Tom Prior, Oleg Zagorodnii, and Diana Pozharskaya
Run Time: 107 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Company: The Factory
BOULEVARD! A HOLLYWOOD STORY
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From aGLIFF Alumni Jeffrey Schwarz (I Am Divine, Tab Hunter Confidential) comes this strange but true story of the struggle to bring a beloved movie from screen to stage. Gloria Swanson was an icon of the silent film era but is best known for her starring role in “Sunset Boulevard.” She was an “older” actress when talkies were becoming all the rage. After losing her place in the Hollywood pantheon, she struggled to maintain the lifestyle she was accustomed. She would move to New York and become a staple of television before taking on “Sunset Boulevard.” After the film’s buzz began to fade away, Gloria found herself returning to that time with struggle. Enter, Dickson Hughes and Richard Stapley, two struggling songwriters (and romantic couple) looking for their big break. These two would allow her to parlay her film glory into a new phase of her career, and she began to envision a musical stage adaptation of her most famous film. The men find themselves whisked away by Swanson to a sumptuous house in Palm Springs, where the trio set to creating the musical from the ground up. As the days wear on, a triangle takes hold that goes beyond a mere creative partnership. From the dark alleys of L.A. to the bright lights of Broadway, “Boulevard! A Hollywood Story” is a fantastic documentary that excels at being both informative and entertaining.
Suppose you enjoy old Hollywood or musical theater. In that case, there is so much to love about this movie, and if you’re a fan of both, I hope you enjoy your new favorite documentary. From the intimate interviews, to the sense of humor, the beautiful animation, and the social commentary, it is hard to find one thing Schwarz and his crew did not excel. They delivered a focused, concise, and humble story which isn’t easy. It would have been easy for the story to spin out of control when dealing with subjects that tend to be larger than life. Many of the players in this story have been forgotten to time. Thankfully those who remain aren’t afraid to tell you where a few of the bodies are hidden. Beyond being an homage to Swanson and “Sunset Boulevard,” Schwarz’s documentary is, more importantly, a memorial to Dickson Hughes and Richard Stapley and their contributions to the world of entertainment. “Boulevard! A Hollywood Story” is masterfully crafted, endlessly entertaining, and a solid 5 out of 5.
Director: Jeffrey Schwarz
Producers: Jeffrey Schwarz, John Boccardo
Executive Producers: Alan Eichler, Gerald Herman, Scott Sigman
Editor: Jeffrey Schwarz
Cinematographers: Doug Hosdale, Matt May
Music: Miriam Cutler
Animation Art: Maurice Vellekoop
