Potomac-based filmmaker Max Rykov has directed a new documentary, *A Score in Absence*, which chronicles the life and career of Ukrainian pianist Khrystyna Mykhailichenko. The film, which recently premiered at the 14th annual Bethesda Film Festival, explores the intersection of art, identity, and displacement during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The documentary is rooted in an eleven-year relationship between Rykov and Mykhailichenko, who first met in 2015 after the pianist’s family fled their home in Crimea following the Russian annexation. The project gained new urgency in 2022 when a full-scale invasion forced Mykhailichenko and her family to relocate again. Rykov followed her across Europe as she performed in international venues, using her music as a form of cultural resistance to maintain the visibility of her nation.
Rykov, a Kyiv-born filmmaker who attended Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and currently studies at Columbia University, spent four years crafting the film. He emphasized that the documentary is intended to highlight the richness of Ukrainian culture, arguing that artistic expression serves as a vital tool in countering efforts to erase Ukrainian identity. By focusing on Mykhailichenko’s journey, Rykov aims to show that there is more to the country than the narrative of war alone.
Mykhailichenko, now 20 years old, noted that she views her performances as a “cultural front,” bearing the responsibility of representing her homeland on the global stage. She and Rykov both expressed hope that the film will encourage audiences to look beyond the headlines and engage more deeply with Ukrainian artists and the ongoing struggle for the country’s independence. For Rykov, the project serves as a tangible way to support his heritage, helping viewers connect with the human experience behind the geopolitical conflict.
