Amidst the destruction of war, art endures. Porcelain War, the Academy Award-nominated documentary co-directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev, is a stunning testament to this truth. Winner of the 2024 Sundance U.S. Grand Jury Prize, the film weaves stunning animation, war reportage, and personal resilience into a visual and emotional tour de force.
At its heart, Porcelain War follows Ukrainian artists Anya Stasenko and Slava Leontyev, known for their delicate, hand-painted porcelain figurines, alongside cinematographer Andrey Stefanov. As Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine unfolds, their artistic sanctuary is shattered, and the couple faces an impossible choice: flee or fight.
A Story That Transcends War
What began as a documentary about art and craftsmanship evolved into a powerful exploration of cultural resistance, survival, and the transformative power of storytelling.
When Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine in February 2022, Bellomo and producer Aniela Sidorska reached out to Anya and Slava. Despite the dangers, the couple chose to stay in their rural home. Slava and his friend Andrey joined the Ukrainian resistance, while Anya continued painting—turning fragile porcelain into an act of defiance.
As the war raged on, Andrey became a self-taught war cinematographer, capturing haunting images of Ukraine’s battle for survival. His camera became his weapon, a way to document, resist, and preserve history.
The film has also found a passionate supporter in three-time Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro, who has publicly championed its message. “We are entering a very, very dark time,” del Toro stated. “Art is being demeaned and robbed of its power. But your movie—Porcelain War—reminds us that resistance is everywhere. Art and spirit are the same thing.”
For co-director Slava Leontyev, art and war became inseparable. A former soldier in Ukraine’s Special Forces, Slava now teaches civilians to defend themselves. But he believes a camera is more powerful than a rifle. His philosophy is at the core of Porcelain War: Art does not surrender. It adapts, survives, and tells the stories that must be told. Watch the trailer below:
The Role of Liz Shaw: Bringing Animation to Life
In early 2023, as Porcelain War evolved from a documentary about artists into a tale of survival and cultural preservation, Bellomo and Sidorska realized they needed an animation studio that could seamlessly merge traditional artistry with cutting-edge technology.
They turned to Shaw, known for her work in animation, commercials, and long-form storytelling. Shaw had built Liz Laine Reps, Inc. into a powerhouse, specializing in representing top-tier animation studios. Recognizing the story’s importance, Shaw enthusiastically recommended BluBlu Studios in Warsaw, Poland, to bring the film’s animation to life.
“BluBlu was the perfect choice,” Shaw explains. “Their creative talent, innovation, and deep personal connection to the story made them ideal partners. This was a project that went beyond filmmaking—it was about preserving culture through art.”
The collaboration was intense. Over a year, Shaw and BluBlu worked closely with the live-action team, editors, and directors to create two breathtaking sequences. The process required 3D scanning of Anya’s figurines, meticulous recreation of her brushstrokes, and seamless integration into the film’s narrative.
“The animation in Porcelain War is in integral part of the story, bringing to life and Anya’s intricate drawings that depict both Ukrainian folk tales of old and modern day warnings of war,” noted Shaw. “BluBlu painstakingly created the animation over a year. It was a labor of love but we knew that importance of the film and the story, a story about the preservation of art and the need for voices to be heard. Art reveals the soul, the emotions and personal grit of a person, and now more than ever it needs to be preserved or we lose the war.”
Blending Art, Animation, and Reality
According to Milwaukee-based Shaw, the animation sequences in Porcelain War are more than just visuals—they are a reflection of the past, present, and future.
- Past: The figurines depict an idyllic, pre-war Ukraine, full of life and beauty.
- Present: Cracks form in the porcelain, symbolizing the fracturing of a nation under attack.
- Future: Despite the destruction, the art lives on, embodying hope and resilience.
“More important than ever… Yes, we are nominated for an Academy Award for Best Feature Documentary and yes we are full of pride and accomplishment, but more than anything we feel the need the share the experience of the Ukrainian people on the ground. Porcelain War gives you an in-the-trench look at the atrocities, the tragedy, the death and the ultimate hope of the Ukrainian people. It reveals how art is at the center of culture and to preserve it is to preserve a people,” Shaw continued.
With its Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature, Porcelain War has cemented its place as one of the most important films of 2024. But beyond the awards, the film stands as a monument to creativity, resilience, and cultural survival.
In a world torn apart by war, Porcelain War asks: What is worth fighting for? For Anya, Slava, and Andrey—the answer is simple: art, truth, and the soul of a nation.
Find out who will bring home the Oscar this Sunday. The Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, airs this Sunday on ABC and Hulu at 8 PM EST/7 PM CT/ 5 PM PST..
The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
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