Oscar-nominated documentary produced in Sydney kept secret for a year due to fears of Russian interference

In the heart of Sydney, a seemingly ordinary studio has been the epicenter of a highly confidential documentary project for over a year, its secrecy fueled by concerns over Russian interference. The sensitive nature of the project required stringent security measures to protect the filmmakers and their subjects.

Sydney-based Songbird Studios is the driving force behind the Oscar-nominated documentary, "Porcelain War," which tells the story of three Ukrainian artists who take up arms to defend their nation and culture. To address security concerns and counter hacking threats, the production team built secure facilities in Paddington, equipped with physically isolated servers protected by firewalls. This ensured the integrity and confidentiality of the project's sensitive data.

Production of the film began approximately a year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The documentary's footage showcases war-torn streets and buildings, while also highlighting the stark contrast of delicate porcelain figurines being handed to Ukrainian soldiers preparing for battle. These animal figurines were designed and painted by Anya Stasenko, adding a poignant layer to the film's narrative.

Faced with the threat of war, Ms. Stasenko and her husband, Slava Leontiev, chose to remain in the city of Kharkiv instead of fleeing. "When the war started, I found a new way to survive," said Ms. Stasenko. She hoped to create a world of peace, but the reality she faced was quite the opposite. "Every day there were shellings and other terrible situations around me, and I began to understand that my way was to continue making my figurines."

Mr. Leontiev joined the Ukrainian Special Forces. He said, "When I was on the front lines fighting the villains, I felt that the lives and deaths of these people were in my hands, and when Anya painted the figurines, I focused on that." Before filming their lives began, Ms. Stasenko and Mr. Leontiev had no prior experience in photography. The production studio sent over a dozen cameras to Ukraine, and the documentary director taught the couple and a third artist the principles of filmmaking online via Zoom.

The documentary's producer, Camilla Mazzaferro, said, "We were worried that we might be hacked, or that footage might somehow leak, and we have a huge responsibility to the artists living in Ukraine and the other film participants, who trusted us with this footage." For Mr. Leontiev, he only saw the positive aspects of participating in this documentary. "Because Russia is shelling areas with apartment buildings, it's already very dangerous. Every night, ordinary people are killed in their own kitchens and bedrooms, simply because they live in Ukraine."

The filming crew in Ukraine sent approximately 550 hours of raw footage to Sydney, much of which was highly sensitive. Ms. Mazzaferro said, "Everyone on the film team worked completely secretly for over a year. We had a team of 10 translators, many of whom had fled the war themselves, and it was incredible that we were conducting this small act of resistance in Sydney." The team's dedication to secrecy was paramount to protecting those involved in the film.

Their efforts have paid off. "Porcelain War" has already won more than 50 awards, including the Sundance Film Festival's U.S. Documentary Jury Award. It has also received a nomination for the most prestigious award in Hollywood, the Academy Award for Best Documentary, with the ceremony to be held on March 3rd (Australian Eastern Daylight Time). Mr. Leontiev and Ms. Stasenko will travel to Los Angeles with Ms. Mazzaferro to attend the ceremony, and Ms. Mazzaferro can hardly believe how successful their film has become. "We knew how special it was, and we also knew how special the artists were, but this is absolutely beyond all our wildest dreams," Ms. Mazzaferro said.

After the awards season, the Ukrainians will return home, where they face an uncertain future. They hope that the film will convey a profound message. Mr. Leontiev said, "Resistance is possible. In any situation, even in such dark times, ordinary people have the ability to defend independence, uphold humanity, and develop culture." The film serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.