the drama war secrets already has a set date to hit Brazilian theaters: it opens on January 5, telling a story of love, prejudice and war.
Set in the Soviet Union during the Cold War period, the film follows the life of Sergey, a soldier at the Soviet Air Base who falls in love with Roman, a daring fighter pilot. It turns out that in addition to their romance being prohibited due to the rigid and conservative regime, Roman still has a relationship with Luisa.
It is from this plot that the film tells a love story filled with discrimination and fear. To bring the characters to life, Tom Prior (The theory of everything), Oleg Zagorodnii (The Choice), and Diana Pozharskaya (The Unknown Soldier). It is worth remembering that Prior also signs on as a co-writer, alongside Peeter Rebane, who assumes the text and direction.
Is Secrets of War inspired by a true story?
The LGBT drama of war secrets is based on the book A Tale About Roman, which tells the story of the real Sergey Fetisov. Rebane says that when he read the work he knew he needed to turn it into a film:
“This is a true, intimate and powerful story. I had never seen a film about forbidden love in the Soviet military before. And it is still so relevant today, with everything that is happening in Russia and the world.”
Prior tells how it was great to participate in the production. He met the real-life Sergey and was able to fully immerse himself in this experience of LGBTQIA+ resistance during hostile times:
“I am still amazed at how many people still suffer under authoritarian regimes and religious orders that deny them their rights and invalidate their love.
Working on Secrets of War made me determined to ensure that this film and Sergey’s courageous story play a pivotal role in changing people’s attitudes towards the LGBTQ community and other marginalized people around the world.”
What to expect from Secrets of War?
In addition to an emotional and sensitive love story, audiences can expect some action and good suspense scenes in war secrets. The director himself spoke about his connection with the work and the partnership with Tom Prior.
“We worked really well together but brought different skills to the project. My strengths are more analytical whereas Tom’s are rooted in feeling the truth of the moment. It was a perfect collaboration”
The film and the Ukrainian War
Speaking of war, it is important to note that actor Oleg Zagorodnii, who plays Roman, has been in Ukraine since the beginning of the war with Russia and prevented from leaving the country. Therefore, he cannot participate in the release of the film. So does actress Diana Pozharskaya, who is alone in Russia.
Secrets of War and My Policeman
Who watched the movie My Policeman, released in 2022 and starring Harry Styles, you should notice similarities between the two synopses. Both stories talk about a love triangle and a homoaffective romance forbidden at the time.
Furthermore, both films are inspired by books, but while My Policeman (as it is known in English) is based on a fiction by Bethan Roberts, war secrets is inspired by a true story. Now it remains to be seen how such a story will be conducted in the audiovisual.
When and where to watch Secrets of War?
If you were excited about the plot, you can watch war secrets from January 5th, when the film opens in theaters all over Brazil.
