Director and Writer: Max Rykov

Bio: Max Rykov is a video producer, photographer, and documentary filmmaker currently based in the Washington, DC area. Born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, he immigrated to the United States at 8 years old and took up filmmaking in teenage years. He received a BS in Digital Media Production from Florida State University, and went on to be Head Video Producer at ARTECHOUSE where he worked closely with digital artists and exhibitors. His work was featured by United Nations Foundation, Pantone Color Institute, Forbes, New York Times, and other platforms. Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Max has refocused on documentary work and impact driven storytelling, shooting mostly in Poland over the past year.

Film: “Hindsight” is a meditative documentary essay film that uncovers long-lost VHS memories from the late 90s and early 2000s, offering a unique glimpse into the world through the filmmaker’s parents’ eyes. The film takes viewers on a journey through diverse landscapes, from Ukraine’s post-Soviet heartland to Vietnam’s resilient hill tribes and Cambodia’s stateless floating villages. It also explores the aftermath of Cuba’s revolutionary past, Thailand’s monk ordination, and India’s deep-rooted traditions. 

Through dream-like sequences, “Hindsight” delves into the elusive nature of roots with the passage of time. It weaves a tapestry of connections, illuminating the evolving relationships between different societies, including their experiences with communism. Set against the backdrop of Kyiv, the filmmaker’s birthplace, the film prompts contemplation on identity, belonging, and the intangible threads that bind humanity across generations and geographical boundaries.