The War Symphonies: Shostakovich Against Stalin is a documentary that depicts the life of Dmitri Shostakovich, a prominent composer, during the time of Stalin's regime. It explores his struggle to maintain his artistic integrity and express his dissent through his symphonies amidst the brutal oppression and censorship. The film highlights the composer's determination to defy the propaganda and repression, showcasing the impact of his music against the backdrop of the starvation, siege, and death threats faced by the Soviet citizens. It offers an insight into the power of art as a form of protest and a means of resistance in a post-World War II era dominated by dictatorship and fear.

The life and work of the great Russian composer Dmitriy Shostakovich is presented in this documentary through rare images and audios from many archives, at one time censored by the Soviet government. A brief take on his life, from his transition as an early prodigy to a first rate artist, his celebrated compositions and the final years with a declining health.