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Porcelain War

Play trailer 2:15 Poster for Porcelain War R 2024 1h 27m Documentary War Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Amidst the chaos and destruction of the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine, three artists defiantly find inspiration and beauty as they defend their culture and their country. In a war waged by professional soldiers against ordinary civilians, Slava Leontyev, Anya Stasenko and Andrey Stefanov choose to stay behind, armed with their art, their cameras and, for the first time in their lives, their guns. Despite daily shelling, Anya finds resistance and purpose in her art, Andrey takes the dangerous journey to get his young family to safety abroad, and Slava becomes a weapons instructor for ordinary people who have become unlikely soldiers. As the war intensifies, Andrey picks up his camera to film their story, and on tiny porcelain figurines, Anya and Slava capture their idyllic past, uncertain present and hope for the future. Co-directed by Leontyev and Brendan Bellomo, with extraordinary footage from first-time cinematographer Stefanov, Porcelain War embodies the passion and fight, that only an artist can put back into the world when it's crumbling around them.

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Porcelain War

Porcelain War

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Critics Consensus

Porcelain War presents harrowing footage from the frontlines of a terrible conflict while treasuring the creativity that flourishes in spite of the chaos, yielding a profound humanistic statement on resilience.

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Critics Reviews

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John Anderson Wall Street Journal Sep 25, 2025
oes a tiny, meticulously painted clay bird have any use in wartime? “Porcelain War” may actually convince doubting viewers that it does. Go to Full Review Ty Burr Washington Post Feb 6, 2025
3.5/4
“Porcelain War” is a testament to how life’s beauty — all the world’s fertility an artist is trained to see — endures among privation and death. Go to Full Review Richard Whittaker Austin Chronicle Jan 24, 2025
3.5/5
The film is often subtle about the art it represents, but that’s arguably one of its greatest, most poignant strengths. Go to Full Review Tim Miller Cape Cod Wave Magazine Jul 22, 2025
3.5/4
Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev’s documentary ... focuses on three Ukrainian artists who continue to pursue their work while also preparing as Russian invaders approach their town. “If one doesn’t resist evil, it doesn’t stop,” says one of the artists. Go to Full Review Aaron Neuwirth We Live Entertainment Feb 27, 2025
I especially appreciated what directors Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyevclearly wanted to emphasize, which is the porcelain figure artwork on display, matching that with the wrecked Ukrainian landscapes, and having it all set to music by DakhaBrakha. Go to Full Review Juan Carlos Ugarelli Cinencuentro Feb 26, 2025
Porcelain War represents a praiseworthy defense of art and culture against external threats. It is not only a recognition of porcelain, painting or music, but also of film, as a record and testimony of the resistance of a people. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Leigh C Mar 2, 2025 Amazing film. A must see. See more Nataliya DeMarco Feb 3, 2025 Must watch! An amazing documentary about the war in Ukraine, where war and art are intertwined. Highly recommend ! See more Pamela Feb 2, 2025 Personal and honestly. See more Meloney Feb 2, 2025 Enjoyed the portraits of the Ukrainians and their lives and beautiful art. There was more of the war than I expected… and of course that is the terrible reality. I admire their resilience and determination. See more Ember’s Mom Jan 12, 2025 The movie was great. AMC Southdale 16, the theater, sucked. My chair didn’t work. The sound system didn’t work super well. It’s a testament to how good this movie is that I was able to tolerate this BS and enjoy the great movie. Slava Ukraini! See more Roxy Jan 11, 2025 Powerful and poignant See more Read all reviews
Porcelain War

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Cast & Crew

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Brendan Bellomo

Director

Slava Leontyev

Director

Slava Leontyev

Self

Anya Stasenko

Self

Andrey Stefanov

Self

Aniela Sidorska

Screenwriter

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Porcelain War

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Movie Info

Synopsis Amidst the chaos and destruction of the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine, three artists defiantly find inspiration and beauty as they defend their culture and their country. In a war waged by professional soldiers against ordinary civilians, Slava Leontyev, Anya Stasenko and Andrey Stefanov choose to stay behind, armed with their art, their cameras and, for the first time in their lives, their guns. Despite daily shelling, Anya finds resistance and purpose in her art, Andrey takes the dangerous journey to get his young family to safety abroad, and Slava becomes a weapons instructor for ordinary people who have become unlikely soldiers. As the war intensifies, Andrey picks up his camera to film their story, and on tiny porcelain figurines, Anya and Slava capture their idyllic past, uncertain present and hope for the future. Co-directed by Leontyev and Brendan Bellomo, with extraordinary footage from first-time cinematographer Stefanov, Porcelain War embodies the passion and fight, that only an artist can put back into the world when it's crumbling around them.
Director
Brendan Bellomo, Slava Leontyev
Producer
Aniela Sidorska, Paula Dupré Pesmen, Camilla Mazzaferro, Olivia Ahnemann
Screenwriter
Aniela Sidorska, Brendan Bellomo, Paula Dupré Pesmen
Distributor
Picturehouse
Production Co
FINCH NO WORRIES
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Documentary, War
Original Language
Ukrainian
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 22, 2024, Limited
Runtime
1h 27m
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