“Firebird” - Credit: Roadside Attractions
Despite his better judgment, Sergey moves in with Roman and the two enjoy a brief renaissance before Luisa surprises them on Christmas. As the years fly by, Sergey leaves the military to attend drama school in Moscow, forgetting about Roman until he shows up unannounced on a three-month placement. Understanding the dire consequences for them both, Roman eventually marries Sergey’s friend Luisa (Diana Pozharskay), a lovely girl with medical school ambitions. Greasy and heavyset, the major is a broad caricature of a Russian bureaucrat, and his heavy presence, while necessary, lacks much subtlety or creativity. The threat of a Russian jail looms large over Roman, who feels responsible for Sergey as well. The prying major (Margus Prange) has his eye on Roman, and never misses an opportunity to remind him the KGB is watching. Each rapturous high is followed by a heart-stopping low, and as soon as they consummate their love they are interrupted by an ominous knock on the door.
