Porcelain War

Play trailer

2:15

Porcelain War

R

2024

1h 27m

Documentary

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

50+ 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.

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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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

oes a tiny, meticulously painted clay bird have any use in wartime? “Porcelain War” may actually convince doubting viewers that it does.

Sep 25, 2025

Full Review

Ty Burr

Washington Post

“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.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 6, 2025

Full Review

Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

The film is often subtle about the art it represents, but that’s arguably one of its greatest, most poignant strengths.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 24, 2025

Full Review

Tim Miller

Cape Cod Wave Magazine

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.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 22, 2025

Full Review

Aaron Neuwirth

We Live Entertainment

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.

Feb 27, 2025

Full Review

Juan Carlos Ugarelli

Cinencuentro

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]

Feb 26, 2025

Full Review

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Leigh C

Amazing film. A must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

Full Review

Nataliya DeMarco

Must watch! An amazing documentary about the war in Ukraine, where war and art are intertwined. Highly recommend !

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/25

Full Review

Pamela

Personal and honestly.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

Full Review

Meloney

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

Full Review

Ember’s Mom

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!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

Full Review

Roxy

Powerful and poignant

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

Full Review

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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: Trailer 1

2:15

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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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