Porcelain War

Ukrainian couple Anya Stasenko and Slava Leontyev have known each other since they were children. They are artists who create exquisite porcelain animals which Slava molds and Anya paints, each piece telling a story. Along with their friend Andrey Stefanov, who began to shoot their story as a first time filmmaker, they are also fighting against the Russians who have invaded their country, Anya decorating drones while Slava instructs ordinary citizens like themselves in weaponry. They are fighting a "Porcelain War."

Laura's Review: A-

Directors Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev give us the most hopeful look at Ukrainian life since the Russian invasion with their portrait of three artists not only maintaining some amount of joy in their lives during their country's darkest times, but bringing it to others as well. This winner of the
2024 Sundance Grand Jury Prize for documentary is not only an uplifting look at artists waging an unorthodox battle in Ukraine, but a whimsical look at art as Anya's paintings come to life as miniature animations on the body of a porcelain snail.

At first, you wouldn't know you were in a battle torn country as we see Anya and Slava walk through fields with Frodo, the happiest little terrier you've ever seen. They all revel in nature, which is reflected in their work. Their friend, Andrey, is a painter whose work had focused on scenes from Crimea, a homeland he was devastated to leave. He now lives outside Kharkiv with his friends and tells a hair raising story about driving through a snowy mountain pass with no brakes in order to get his wife and two daughters out of the country altogether to ensure their safety. They barely had time to say goodbye, but we will see them reunited once again before film's end.

We also meet civilian soldiers who are friends with the artists, including a young female IT manager who now leads a unit. 'We crack each other up each day,' we're told, one passing the time by gathering mushrooms, a favored activity. One of Anya and Slava's pieces, a spiky painted dragon, is like a porcelain mascot and she turns a drone into delightful character art. But they also begin to hear news about an Armageddon in Bakhmut and we hear that little Frodo is outraged by the increase in explosions. Reflecting on their own art, Slava notes that 'a refugee is like a snail without its shell.'

"Porcelain War" is a testament to the spirit of Ukraine and a documentary clearly made by artists. Folk music by DakhaBrakha, a Ukrainian group who sound like the Romanian women's choir, accompanies the visuals.

Robin's Review: B+

“We are ordinary people in an extraordinary situation” says one of the three artists who practice their art and risk their lives to fight for the people of Ukraine in “Porcelain War.”

Sadly, we are, I think, growing tired of the subject of war – war in Ukraine, war in Gaza, war in Lebanon – so when a film about beauty amidst that terrible backdrop comes along, we should watch.

Stava Leontyev and Anya Stasenko are artists, collaborators and partners. He creates the delicate porcelain figures and she paints and decorates them. Then, Russia invaded Ukraine and people like Stava and Anya, and their cameraman friend Andrey Stefanov, joined in the fight for their country.

Directors Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev combine their conventional combat footage of drone reconnaissance, aerial bombardment and combat at the front with the delicate artistry of creating porcelain figures for the soldiers fighting. A cute little dragon figure is one favored by the troops.

The filmmakers, while showing the dangers and challenges of the war, also show the families of the filmmakers, giving insight into both sides of the war – soldier and civilian. Unfortunately, the main subject, the war, overshadows the art of creating the lovely, beautifully decorated figurines. More of the latter and less of the former, please, and give peace a chance.

Picturehouse released "Porcelain War" in NY on 11/22/24 and LA on 11/29/24.  It will continue to roll out in subsequent weeks. Click here for theaters and play dates.