The opposite of war is art. That’s what the trio of Ukrainian artists at the centre of this radiant documentary believe; that’s what they’re fighting for. Anya Stasenko and Slava Leontyev are married ceramicists. Andrey Stefanov, their lifelong friend, is a photographer. When Russian bombs began blackening their skies and tanks flattening their trees, they decided to stay in Kharkiv. They established a virtual connection with the Los Angeles-based producer Paula DePre Pesman (The Cove) and director Brendan Bellomo, who sent them 15 GoPro and drone cameras. Now we watch as Slava, a special forces officer, trains civilians to fight – and whatever you think that looks like, this film will bring it home for you anew, as clearly terrified teachers, construction workers and IT specialists learn to shoulder machine guns.

To read the review by Johanna Schneller of The Globe and Mail click here.