The Freep Film Festival opens on Wednesday with a documentary that takes us right into the heart of one of the most compelling stories in sports history anywhere: how the players who became known as the Russian Five came to the Detroit Red Wings and helped power the team to back-to-back Stanley Cups.
The Russian Five is the first feature-length documentary from Port Huron’s Joshua Riehl. It's getting its world premiere this Wednesday night at a sold-out event in Detroit.
Director Joshua Riehl and producer Jenny Feterovich joined Stateside to discuss the stories and stylistic decisions behind the film, the risk the Russian players took in immigrating to the United States, and the effect the newcomers had on the Red Wings, the NHL, and the city of Detroit.
Listen above.
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