KSL Movie Show review: ‘Inspirational’ only begins to describe ‘Porcelain War’
Jan 2, 2025, 5:00 PM
'Porcelain War' follows Slava and Anya, two Ukrainian artists who are trying to survive amidst the ongoing onslaught of the Russian army.
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SALT LAKE CITY — Whenever I think I’m having a bad day or week, documentaries like this bring me back to a level of gratitude that I find inescapable.
There is no way you can watch the trauma of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, while at the same time, seeing it through the determined eyes of its defiant citizens. “Inspirational” only begins to describe it.
Slava and Anya are Ukrainian artists who are trying to survive amidst the ongoing onslaught of the Russian army.
For years now, they have tried to continue to make porcelain figurines. Slava sculpts and fires these fantasy animals, while Anya gives them life with detailed colors and images that are mesmerizing.
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At first glance, it would seem their efforts are meaningless. With so much death and destruction all around them, who cares about a bunch of porcelain creatures? Maybe we should ask some Hummel figurine collectors.
Yet, there is something far more profound that is going on here. Not only does the creation of these art pieces give them a welcomed respite from all the ugliness, but it also adds a defiant quality to their painstaking work.
And just when you think, “Ah these poor, peace-loving Bohemians,” Slava is the resident firearms expert, even teaching his neighbors who are simply farmers, musicians and store managers, the basics to take up weapons against the Russian invaders.
He is also the key sharpshooter for his civilian unit, code name Saigon, which provides drone overviews, bomb drops, mortar fire and backup for the Ukrainian Infantry. In other words, Slava and Anya are no wilting flowers.
Their closest friend Andrey had to send his wife and two teenage daughters away to protect them from harm. Thankfully they still have access to the Internet, allowing them to see and hear each other from faraway.
Their conversations are so touching and heartfelt, especially since they have spent so much time away from each other.
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Now this was a strange sight — as Slava and Anya go for a walk in the woods with their little dog Frodo, occasionally Slava will spot something out of the ordinary, suggest Anya might want to pick up their frisky Frodo, only to point out a landmine hidden beneath some moss right in front of them.
Without hesitation, Slava calmly takes out a small warning placard and sticks it in the ground next to the deadly mechanism, to caution others who might be taking the same stroll through the woods, but may not see it in time. They treat it like an everyday occurrence.
Can you imagine living like that?
This is the terrifying situation facing the Ukrainian people and this was filmed in late 2023. Another year has passed, truly testing these incredible people.
In making a comparison to their beloved art figurines to the citizenry — “Our people are like Porcelain – easy to break, but impossible to destroy.”
And sweet Anya said it best about her hope for the future — “The enemy is not as creative at being bad, as good people are at being good.”
Boy, I hope she’s right.
PORCELAIN WAR (B+) Rated R for language and gruesome war scenes. Featuring Slava Leontyev, Anya Stasenko, Andrey Stefanov and the citizen soldiers of their unit — code name Saigon. Directed by Brendan Bellomo (visual effects supervisor for “Beasts of the Southern Wild”) and Slava Leontyev in his directorial debut. Filmed in various locations around Ukraine. Won the Grand Prize for Best Documentary at Sundance 2024. Running time: 87 minutes.
