Porcelain War is a gripping documentary that showcases the resilience of art amidst the horrors of war. Set during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, it tells the story of three Ukrainian artists who remain in their country, fighting to preserve their culture and creativity in the face of overwhelming adversity.
The film has already earned 30 festival honors, including Best Documentary at the Woodstock and Heartland Film Festivals, and was awarded the 2024 Sundance Grand Jury Prize for U.S. Documentary.
Amid roaring jets and daily bombings, Ukrainian artists Slava, Anya, and Andrey stay behind in war-torn Ukraine, using their art and cameras, and for the first time in their lives, their guns. The film shows that while war can frighten and devastate, it cannot destroy a people’s passion for living.
Porcelain War is a stunning tribute to the human spirit, capturing the determination and hope of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. Slava Leontyev, Anya Stasenko, and Andrey Stefanov, three artists from Ukraine, refuse to leave their homeland. Armed with their art, cameras, and weapons, they stand defiant as the Russian invasion threatens to crush their culture. This documentary captures their journey as they fight for survival, creativity, and the soul of Ukraine.
In the chaos of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, three artists—Slava, Anya, and Andrey—choose to stay behind. Their mission is to protect their country’s culture, fight against the invaders, and maintain hope through art. Slava becomes a weapons instructor for civilians who are now soldiers, while Anya uses her art as a form of resistance, despite the daily shelling. Andrey, in a dangerous move, attempts to get his family to safety abroad before returning to film the artists’ stories. Together, they continue to create, documenting the ravages of war and the beauty of what remains. Using porcelain figurines, they capture their past, their present, and the hope that art will outlive destruction.
Porcelain War brings viewers face-to-face with the emotional and physical toll of war, while highlighting the unbreakable human spirit that turns to art for survival. The film is co-directed by Slava Leontyev and Brendan Bellomo, featuring powerful footage by first-time cinematographer Andrey Stefanov.
