Porcelain War

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2:15

Porcelain War

R

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1h 27m

Documentary

War

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95%

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19 Reviews

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Fewer than 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.

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Nicolas Rapold

New York Times

As the filmmakers repeatedly tie an inspirational bow on art and beauty, the good intentions yield cold comfort.

Nov 21, 2024

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Kyle Smith

Wall Street Journal

A combination of whimsy and devastation, it looked at the continuing war in Ukraine through the eyes of eccentric artists who carry on with their craft of making adorable little figures even as the Russian invasion disrupts everything.

Feb 2, 2024

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Guy Lodge

Variety

“Porcelain War” thrives on contrast, much of it poignant.

Jan 29, 2024

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Christopher Campbell

Nonfics

A visually remarkable documentary.

Nov 22, 2024

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Cody Dericks

Next Best Picture

It’s a well-constructed look at the necessity of art and the resiliency of the human spirit, even if it chooses to do so in an awkward, clashing manner.

Rated: 6/10

Nov 22, 2024

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Mark Dujsik

Mark Reviews Movies

Porcelain War is an inherently contradictory film about the beauty of creation, the devastation of war, and how those intersect...

Rated: 3/4

Nov 22, 2024

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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

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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