'Russian Five' documentary world premiere will open Freep Film Festival

The dramatic story of the five Russian hockey stars who helped propel the Detroit Red Wings to two Stanley Cup championships is the focus of Freep Film Festival's opening night film.

The world premiere of "The Russian Five" documentary will open the fifth annual Freep Film Festival on April 11 at the Fillmore Detroit.

The movie, directed by Port Huron native Joshua Riehl, includes new interviews with Russian Five stars Sergei Fedorov, Igor Larionov, Vyacheslav Kozlov and Viacheslav Fetisov, along with other Red Wing and NHL greats, including Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan, Darren McCarty and Wayne Gretzky. Top brass like Jim Devellano, Scotty Bowman and Tom Wilson also appear, as does actor and super fan Jeff Daniels.

The film gives the behind-the-scenes story of the Red Wings' strategy in luring the five Russian players, including the under-cover-of-night defections of Fedorov and Vladimir Konstantinov. It also provides new insight into many key moments in Red Wings' history, including coach Bowman's decision to play all of the Russian Five at the same time, the bloody rivalry between the Wings and Colorado Avalanche, the 1996-97 Stanley Cup run and the horrific limousine accident that seriously injured Konstantinov and masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov in the celebration aftermath.

"I think the story of the Russian Five is one of the most exciting chapters in the history of sports in Detroit, and I'm absolutely thrilled to screen our documentary at the Freep Film Festival," said director Riehl. "There won’t be a better audience for this film anywhere in the world, and I can’t wait to share it with the people of Detroit."

Riehl has directed and produced several documentary shorts, but this is his first feature-length documentary as a director. The producing team includes executive producer Dan Milstein and producers Steve Bannatyne ("Night School"), Jenny Feterovich ("Start Up") and Keith Gave, the former Free Press hockey writer whose new book, "The Russian Five: A Story of Espionage, Defection, Bribery and Courage," arrives in March. Wayne Kramer, a guitarist for the legendary Detroit rock band MC5, is scoring original music for the film.

"We couldn’t be more excited to be opening the Freep Film Festival with this truly Michigan story — from the film itself to the homegrown roots of filmmaker Joshua Riehl and his team," said Freep Film Festival artistic director Kathy Kieliszewski. "Riehl’s passion for hockey shines through in this documentary, and his telling will have audiences reliving some of the best moments in Detroit sports history."

The opening night festivities will be hosted by Free Press columnist Mitch Albom, including a post-film Q&A that will feature filmmaker Riehl and others.

Tickets are $20 general admission, which includes pop and popcorn, or $50 for VIP, which includes admission to a pre-film party with drinks and food (including Mexican, soul, Greek and coney stations). Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 23. They can be purchased at livenation.com or the Fillmore Detroit box office (noon-5 p.m. Monday & Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays). Doors open at 7 p.m., with the film starting at 8 p.m. The VIP party will begin at 6:30 p.m.

More: Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes return to Detroit for 2018 Freep Film Festival launch party

Freep Film Festival is the documentary-focused festival produced by the Detroit Free Press. The 2018 edition runs April 11-15, and will be preceded by a launch party featuring actor-director Kevin Smith and actor Jason Mewes on April 10. More festival special events will be announced in the coming weeks. The full lineup will be revealed in early March.

Festival screenings will be centered in greater downtown Detroit at venues including the Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Cinema Detroit, the Detroit Historical Museum and more.

More information can be found at the festival's website, Twitter feed and Facebook page.