PORCELAIN WAR

ABOUT THE FILM

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.

Join us for our Texas Premiere at the Dallas International Film Festival! Screenings: April 27 @ 2:15pm April 29 @ 1:00pm @dallasiff #porcelainwar

Premiering at the American Independant Film Festival in Kyiv, Ukraine Saturday May 11th Sunday May 12th #ukraine #ukraine🇺🇦 #freeukraine #brave #beauty

#ukraine #ukraine🇺🇦 #freeukraine #brave #beauty

To be able to premiere Porcelain War in the Ukrianian capital of Kyiv is an emotional and bittersweet feeling for all of us. On the one hand, it's a true honor to be able to screen the film to the brave people of Ukraine. But everything they have experienced and continue to should never have happened. Thousands of innocent lives have been lost. Yet courage and beauty persist. #ukraine #ukraine🇺🇦 #freeukraine #brave #courage #beauty

#porcelainwar @sundanceorg

Porcelain War is premiering in Chicago at Doc10! The festival screens the best documentaries, culled from Sundance, Tribeca, Hot Docs, DOC NYC and other top-tier festivals across the nation. We are truly honored. Screening: Saturday May 4th @ 12:00pm “With beautiful touches of animation, a soulful soundtrack of Ukrainian dirges, and a sense of hope, humor, and humanity, Porcelain War is a “poignant” (Variety) “combination of whimsy and devastation” (Wall Street Journal) about the power of art and the will to survive.”

#porcelainwar @thewrap

Our European Premiere of Porcelain War couldn't be more special. The incredible, hand drawn animations that were created especially for the film were done by the wonderful and talented Polish artists @blublustudios. Seeing Slava and Anya's art come to life, for the first time on the big screen, was an experience we will cherish forever. The universal power of art is a language we all shared while making this film. And it is a language we will continue to share with all of you as we journey across the world. We thank you, Docs Against Gravity, for welcoming us! @millenniumdocsagainstgravity

“The war has given me this clear knowledge that a human being can be so good. I’d only read about that in books before, about people who shine from within. I may have run into them in my life, but it wasn’t as easy to recognize. But now, now you can see it very clearly” -Anya Stasenko, Subject of Porcelain War

We are bringing Porcelain War to the sunny Sarasota Film Festival for our Florida premiere! Screenings: April 9 @ 8:15pm April 12 @ 12:00pm "Co-directed by Slava Leontyev and Brendan Bellomo, with extraordinary footage from first-time cinematographer Andrey Stefanov, Porcelain War embodies the passion and fight that only an artist can put back into the world when it’s crumbling around them." @mysff

“As an artist, I am not interested in documenting evil or paying attention to it but rather to people who resist evil. I am interested in the beauty of these people, their bravery. We didn’t want to film just the ruins but to film the beauty of what could be ruined." Slava Leontyev, Co-Director and Subject of Porcelain War

We are still feeling immense gratitude to the Boulder International Film Festival audience and jury for awarding Porcelain War with these top honors of Best Documentary Film and People's Choice Award Feature Film. @boulderfilmfestival

When Russia brutally invaded Ukraine, regular people were forced to pick up arms to defend everything they loved. These same people also bravely picked up their cameras to share their story with the world.

Thank you Cleveland International Film Festival for the warm and beautiful welcome of Porcelain War! "Stunningly filmed almost entirely by the film’s subjects and aided by moments of unexpected animation, this is a can’t-miss documentary." Screening: Friday April 12 @ 11:55am @clefilmfest

"Suffused with the golden-hour nature of Kharkiv, the film also features music by Ukrainian force of sound DakhaBrakha, which is not easily forgotten." @screendaily

We can't wait to see you at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival next month! Screenings: Thursday April 18 @ 5:00pm Friday April 19 @ 7:00pm Wednesday April 24 @ 7:15pm

Anya's painted drone, held up against the sunrise of Kharkiv, Ukraine, in defiance.

Thank you for having us Big Sky! Incredible reception for our Northwest Premiere in Montana!

HOW TO SUPPORT

Birds Project
Medical Supplies for Military and Civilians

Zgraya Volunteer Group
Equipment, Medication, Food

Come Back Alive Foundation
Military Assistance and Veteran Rehabilitation

Musicians Defend Ukraine
Charity Fund That Helps Musicians in Times of War

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