October 11 | Saturday | 1 hour, 27 minutes | Rated R |
This documentary follows three Ukrainian artists in the midst of the invasion of their homeland by the Russian military. Each of them finds ways to resist that invasion, whether it’s continuing to create in the face of destruction, getting family to safety through the chaos, or teaching Ukrainian civilians how to shoot. It’s a beautiful film of beauty in the middle of violence, showing how even the smallest of things can create hope and defiance in the face of invasion. It currently has a 95% Tomatometer and a 95% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes.
100% of the proceeds will go to Sunflower F.U.N.D., a local charity which in turn delivers donations directly to Ukraine.
“Porcelain War is a testament to how life’s beauty — all the world’s fertility an artist is trained to see — endures among privation and death.” -Ty Burr, Washington Post
“The film is often subtle about the art it represents, but that’s arguably one of its greatest, most poignant strengths.” -Richard Whittaker, Austin Chronicle
“Backed by a feral, driving score from Ukrainian folkloric quartet DakhaBrakha, Porcelain War makes the case for art as another protective weapon against imperialism.” -Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle
“A sublime and stirring documentary from American filmmaker Brendan Bellomo and Ukrainian ceramicist Slava Leontyev about living, fighting and creating under siege.” -Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times
“A combination of whimsy and devastation, it looked at the continuing war in Ukraine through the eyes of eccentric artists who carry on with their craft of making adorable little figures even as the Russian invasion disrupts everything.” -Kyle Smith, Wall Street Journal
“This film doesn’t flinch from violence, but it finds hope in a people’s patient refusal to surrender who they are.” -Johanna Schneller, Globe and Mail
Porcelain War will show at The Clyde on Saturday, October 11, at 2pm. Entry will be by donation, with a suggested donation of $20 per person, although any amount is accepted.