Porcelain War

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Porcelain War

R

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1h 27m

Documentary

War

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96%

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27 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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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

A sublime and stirring documentary from American filmmaker Brendan Bellomo and Ukrainian ceramicist Slava Leontyev about living, fighting and creating under siege.

Dec 11, 2024

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Johanna Schneller

Globe and Mail

This film doesn’t flinch from violence, but it finds hope in a people’s patient refusal to surrender who they are.

Dec 6, 2024

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Phil Hoad

Guardian

Its partisan zeal does permit it to drift into danger zones it doesn’t seem completely aware of. In the most part, though, it’s guided by love for the country’s sylvan landscapes and everything that flows out of them.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 3, 2024

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Liz Braun

Original Cin

This powerful documentary set amid the war in Ukraine is a rare look at the reality of war and the ordinary people compelled to defend their freedom and their way of life.

Rated: B+

Dec 6, 2024

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Pat Mullen

POV Magazine

"an artful method to capture the unfolding tragedy without focusing on destruction"

Dec 4, 2024

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Wesley Hunt

Loud and Clear Reviews

Porcelain War is a moving firsthand account of the ongoing War in Ukraine, both serving as a passion project and a valuable historic find for future researchers.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 3, 2024

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David

Absolutely astounding filmmaking and storytelling!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

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Colette C

A visually stunning movie about the resilience of the human heart, and art, when everything is crumbling around you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

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d h

What a beautiful, harrowing and moving film. Important, timely and powerful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

Full Review

Phred T

A people will live if their art survives. A wonderful movie that shows the humanity during war.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/13/24

Full Review

Tyrone H

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. The movie has touched my heart and I urge anyone to watch it. I love that the movie is focused on 3 main people. I saw this film at the Coast Film Festival and it left me inspired to support Ukraine even more. I love the switch from war to art and how it blends together. I was at the edge of my seat. I can only imagine how much more impactful the film is on a larger screen. The partial animation was very creative in how it blended war with artist beautiful porcelain art. Definitely an Academy Award winner in my mind.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/01/24

Full Review

calli p

One word - amazing !!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

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

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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