The idea that Ukraine is like porcelain – easy to break, but impossible to destroy – is the one that moulds this documentary.

This is a film with a dual objective, featuring the director Slava Leontyev, alongside porcelain artists Anya Stasenko and Andrey Stefanov. On one hand, this documentary offers a gruelling depiction of life at wartime. On the other hand, it is a true celebration of the power of art. These people have to survive incoming missile strikes, launch counterattacks against invading tanks, and even make peace with the fact that suddenly they might have to take arms and kill. It’s their porcelain art that keeps them going. Truly beautiful creations, delicate and yet indestructible, inspired by the natural world around them. It’s where they put their focus, no matter the hard times. Life is a magical thing, even when it’s surrounded by death.

Porcelain War presents some powerful images in order to make its point. Most of the footage was recorded by the subjects of the film themselves, lending them a very intimate quality, and crafting moments of real horror during the hostilities. We often follow the troops, we meet soldiers as well as civilians. Drones gingerly embellished by the artists capture some of the action. Tanks loom nearby, soldiers move in their direction, jets fly across the sky and decimate the structures beneath them with bombs and missiles. And then breathtaking nature photography. Porcelain War seeks to balance the horrors of war with the beauty of resistance.

The use of animation is particularly inspiring. Some stories of the past are told by zooming very close into porcelain figures, and then allowing the illustrations to come to life. Little dioramas allow words to morph fairy tales. These are very personal stories, yet their tragedy is universal enough for anyone to grasp

Despite their inherent lightness and optimism, Slava, Anya and Andrey have to face the fact that their lives have been permanently altered. They refuse to dwell on negativity for too long. Instead, they seek inspiration for their next artistic endeavour. Because art is passion. Art is culture. Art is life.

Porcelain War is in selected cinemas on Friday, December 6th.