Firebird star Tom Prior campaigns to re-publish memoirs that inspired gay drama
Firebird's leading man and director are raising funds to edit and publish a translation of Sergey Fetisov’s memoirs worldwide.
Peeter Rebane and Tom Prior, director and star of Firebird, have launched a Kickstarter campaign to publish the never-before-seen memoirs of Sergey Fetisov, Firebird: The Story of Roman, translated into English.
The memoir, originally written by Fetisov under a pseudonym and published in Russian, was the core inspiration behind Rebane’s debut feature film Firebird – a gay drama charting the illicit romance between a soldier (Prior) and a fighter pilot (Oleg Zagorodnii) in the midst of the Cold War.
In Attitude’s 4-star review, the film is described as “radically insightful” with the context that the Soviet Air Force-set gay romance “feels pertinent” even decades on from its rooted setting.
Rebane and Prior have joined forces once again to launch a Kickstarter campaign to fund the editing, publishing, and marketing of an English-language translation of the memoir worldwide.
Fetisov died in Russia in 2017 and Rebane and Prior wish to publish the memoir in his real name to honour the legacy of the late writer.
“Six years ago, we made a promise to Sergey Fetisov that we would do everything in our power to share his story and his book,” Rebane shares.
He continues: “Now, we are fulfilling the second half of our promise and working to publish Sergey’s memoir to cement his legacy in his own words.”
Fetisov’s memoirs offer a glimpse into his life as a gay man in Soviet-occupied Estonia, a heartfelt chronicling of his romances, hardships and a personal account of queer history 50 years ago.
“This book also has a much wider, global purpose,” Prior adds.
“We believe it is vital to help give a voice to unheard LGBTQIA+ stories, and to ensure that they are heard around the world,” he explains. “Sharing first hand narratives is one of the most powerful ways to uplift our community and incite change.”
Rebane goes on to highlight the publishing of this memoir is part of a dedication to uplifting LGBTQIA+ voices and stories and that “in a society that seems to be set on pushing back against LGBTQIA+ individuals with anti-queer policies, this change and empowerment has become more vital than ever.”
You can find out more about the Kickstarter campaign and donate here.
Firebird: The Story of Roman by Sergey Fetisov is to be published in 2023 and Firebird is available to stream now.