Porcelain War

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2024 REVIEW! Can art be a form of rebellion? Is there beauty to be in the rubble of destruction? Even if a landmark or meaningful place is destroyed, does that mean the citizens’ spirit is broken? These are the questions posed by Porcelain War, directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev. The documentary chronicles the Ukrainian people’s rise against Russia’s invasion and how they keep their culture alive.

Leontyev is a ceramic artist focused on making porcelain animals such as owls and lizards. His significant other, Anya Stasenko, colorfully paints the objects. After Russia began invading Ukraine, the artists vowed to stay in Kharkiv. Amongst the ruins of their favorite places in the city, Leontyev and Stasenko leave behind their creations, turning destruction into something beautiful. Traversing the city with their dog Frodo in tow is haunting, dangerous, and inspiring.

Their friend, Andrey Stefanov, was a photographer but is now compelled to video the immediate effects of Russia’s war campaign. As such, the film also examines the Ukrainian soldiers’ fight back, highlighting quick skirmishes to take out a convoy or battalion. The citizens-turned-freedom fighters, the main artists among them, take great pride in their heritage and country, even as it falls around them.

“…chronicles the Ukrainian people’s rise against Russia’s invasion and how they keep their culture alive.”

Subtlety is not the movie’s strong suit. In fact, Porcelain War is quite blunt. The ceramics are “fragile but everlasting…Ukraine is like porcelain; easy to break, but impossible to destroy,” Leontyev directly states at one point. While it might seem the directors are afraid potential audience members will miss the themes otherwise (which is probably a bit true), the statement and other pronouncements throughout the 87-minute runtime seem more for those making them. It’s critical to everyone in Ukraine that they see a light at the end of the tunnel if such an end even exists. It is not just their homes and towns being razed; the citizens of Ukraine are fighting for their way of life and culture. It is in knowing and understanding that very stark reality that the motion picture achieves its power.

Most of the documentary was shot by the artists, though some news footage or videos from other sources are occasionally used. Several scenes involve the main trio running for their lives as shells explode around them. This gives much of the movie an immediacy not found in retrospective looks at war or combat. For non-filmmakers, Leontyev and Stasenko lens a pretty picture. Long blades of grass flitter in the wind as Frodo frolics. Their art placed among the ruins brings a lively pop of color. The way the creation of each ceramic animal is filmed highlights the care put into the porcelain.

Porcelain War is an engaging, timely look at art, war, homeland pride, and the resilience of the human spirit. While it is not subtle, it is impactful and never dull. No matter the ultimate outcome of Russia’s ongoing war, Ukraine and its people will live on.

Porcelain War screened at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.