United We Stand (Musicians In Times Of War) + Performance Maya Fridman
Documentary about Russian cellist Maya Fridman, living in the Netherlands, and her mission to support the Ukrainian people in the current war. Including short performance Maya Fridman.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Fridman has been working day and night to organise a series of charity concerts in major venues in the Netherlands. She collaborates with Ukrainian musicians such as Anna Fedorova, as well as Latvian cellist Mischa Maisky and Dutch soprano Channa Malkin. Proceeds – after the first month already more than 200,000 euros – are earmarked for support to Ukraine, but next to financial support, the concerts also offer a sense of solidarity, unity and brotherhood.
For this documentary, director David van Tijn closely followed the cellist from the very first charity concert. Van Tijn filmed the preparations, rehearsals and concerts, and interviewed some of the musicians. He was also present during Fridman’s meeting with master pianist Evgeny Kissin, who of all Russian musicians has spoken out most stridently against Putin. Slowly but surely, it becomes clear that this war goes beyond the expansion of Russia and is perhaps mainly aimed against the culture of Ukraine, and thus also against its musicians. This fact changes the role of the musicians in the film: they are no longer just the ones bringing comfort with their concerts, they are also fighting in their own way with the Ukrainians.
Before the screening of the documentary, Maya Fridman will give a short performance.
Schedule:
15.45 - Doors open
16.00 - Start performance Fridman
16.20 - Start documentary
17.30 - End