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Porcelain War film image; man dressed in army gear holding up a toy lizard

Porcelain War

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Most of us, in Canada, cannot truly comprehend a scenario in which our country is invaded and civilians are compelled to take up arms in its defence. Yet for Ukrainians, this is the reality. In Porcelain War, three artists elect to stay and fight — with cameras, their talent, and, yes, with guns. At first, despite daily shelling, Anya finds resistance and purpose in ceramics, Andrey gets 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 between skirmishes, Anya and Slava seek to capture their idyllic past, uncertain present, and hope for the future. Mixing intense conflict footage and moments of deliberation and intimacy, Porcelain War is a vivid reminder of perilous times.

Masterfully illustrates the enduring power of art in the face of adversity.

Awards Daily

Directors

Brendan Bellomo & Slava Leontyev

Credits
Country of Origin

Ukraine/USA/Australia

Year

2024

Language

In Ukranian and Russian with English subtitles

Awards

Grand Jury Prize, Best Documentary, Sundance; Best Documentary, Seattle, Heartland, Sudbury, Ashland, Boulder Film Festivals

Nominated: Best Documentary Feature, Academy Awards

Content Warning

Violence, theme of war

19+
87 min

Book Tickets

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Credits

Screenwriter

Aniela Sidorska, Brendan Bellomo, Paula DuPré Pesmen, Slava Leontyev

Cinematography

Andrey Stefanov

Editor

Brendan Bellomo, Kelly Cameron, Aniela Sidorska

Original Music

DakhaBrakha

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