
Porcelain War

DirectorSlava Leontyev
CastsSlava Leontyev, Anya Stasenko, Andrey Stefanov, Anya Stefanova, Sonya Stefanova, Olena Herasymenko, Frodo
Duration88 minutes
Rating
GenreDocumentary
Trailer & Synopsis
Porcelain War follows the poetic journey of three Kharkiv-based artists who refuse to abandon their homeland. Co-directed by Slava Leontyev and Brendan Bellomo, the film weaves frontline footage - drones, body‑cams, shell‑blasted streets - with intimate moments: Slava training volunteers as a weapons instructor, Anya painting fragile porcelain icons, and Andrey filming their shared struggle.
Premiering at Sundance 2024, where it won the Grand Jury Prize, and Oscar‑nominated for Best Documentary Feature, the film balances brutal reality with hope. Critics laud its visual beauty, emotional resonance, and innovative use of animated porcelain sequences that underscore a central metaphor: “Ukraine is like porcelain—fragile, yet impossible to destroy.” Featuring music by DakhaBrakha and revealing art as resistance, this documentary offers an urgent, human portrait of resilience, cultural identity, and creative courage under fire.
