Razom Cinema announced a new partnership with the powerful, award-winning documentary Porcelain War on the film’s North American theatrical release, which began on November 22, 2024 in New York and rolls out across North America. Earlier this year, the film won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
“The message of Porcelain War fits perfectly with the mission of Razom and its programs, so our partnership creates a unique opportunity to combine forces and amplify the voices of those whose lives have been forever changed by the war,” says Polina Buchak, head of Razom Cinema. “The grant assures that the filmmakers will be able to travel with their film and share their stories from Ukraine first-hand with audiences and continue shedding light on Ukrainians’ bravery in their fight for freedom and dignity during Russia’s unjust, full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”
The story of the Ukrainians in Porcelain War reflects the extraordinary transformation of life in Ukraine, where art and war collide. An artist crafting delicate porcelain creatures one day, may find themselves on the battlefield the next, fighting for their freedom and dignity. Porcelain War offers audiences the opportunity to go behind the headlines and dive into the layered reality of Ukrainian life during wartime, shedding light on how ordinary civilians—teachers, engineers, artists—have become extraordinary heroes in the face of unimaginable challenges.
The film, shot in Ukraine by the subjects of the documentary, is set amid the chaos and destruction of the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine. Three artists 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 is crumbling around them.
Picturehouse will release the film across North America over the next few months. Make sure to visit the website, look up your city, and grab tickets to the screening: porcelainwar.url.film
For more information, check out the film’s website (porcelainwar.com) and follow their instagram page @porcelainwarfilm