Alexander D. Ignatiev — independent film director, ambient composer and designer.

My works combine a focus on mood, magical realism, mysticism, folklore, detachment, and explore conspiracy facts and theories, proverbs, and sayings with elements of comedy, horror, fantasy, psychological thriller, and sometimes crime. In my projects, I strive to experiment with different styles and approaches in storytelling, because I believe that there is something missing in modern cinema, and it is worth looking for new points of contact between modern, still emerging culture and an increasingly forgotten past.

Studied “Banking” but, realizing it wasn't for me, switched to “Business Administration.” In this field, I found more opportunities: creating project-based advertising sketches and social clips, writing scripts and slogans for marketing campaigns, and designing brochures and posters.

In July 2022, I shot my first experimental short film titled Have You Seen This Man, or I Think Someone is Watching Us. The film touches on themes of peaceful and carefree days, as well as the fear of uncertainty and the search for one’s path through attentive self-observation. In this project, I partially delved into the genres that attract me the most and will likely continue to develop in the near future: mysticism, psychological thrillers, experimental cinema, and comedy with an emphasis on duality and the subjectivity of human nature.

No matter how many times I’ve tried to create a collective project on my own, it always comes down to me and my personal interest. It might seem like I’m an individualist rather than a team player, and you’d be right. However, in addition to my own work, I’m always open to collaborating and working together on interesting global ideas and large-scale projects (Three Aliens, script supervisor, composer, and assistant in various other areas), in which I feel just as comfortable as I do alone — under three conditions: balance between tasks, periodic breaks into personal projects, and the right environment.

Before I focused on video and cinema, I began writing music. Currently, I’m focusing on genres such as minimalism, ambient, soundtracks (Film in Brighton, 2022; Have You Seen This Man, or I Think Someone’s Watching Us, 2022; Myth/Reality, 2023; Three Aliens, N/A), neoclassicism, downtempo, float-house, and ambient-techno with elements of boom-bap.

One-liners

• I meditate every day.
• I train in my home gym.
• No expectations, goals, or results — only the process.
• I don’t get offended and don’t blame anyone for anything.
• I don’t like noise or concerts, hate relays and competitions, Windows OS, hardcover books, and boiled carrots.
• I prefer to laugh and focus on what interests me rather than suffer, mourn, and feel jealous.
• I can cook, but whenever possible, I prefer not to spend too much time on it and make something quick, like rice with chicken fillet in tomato-soy sauce.
• I don’t like splitting one task between two, three people, etc.
• I believe everything depends on perspective and that everything depends on the observer.
• I start something by either thinking through every detail or jumping in without thinking at all.
• I leave too easily (physically or mentally) because I see no point in creating conflicts or scenes. I’m not a fan of arguments and don’t seek to prove anything to anyone. If I don’t like something or the situation becomes too confrontational, I just leave. Since I’m comfortable with myself, the bar for engaging with people or situations that don’t suit me is set very high.
• I don't drink alcohol or smoke tobacco.

Hardware

• MacBook Pro 13" (2017) (2019)
• iPhone 13 (2025)
• IEM KZ ZAR (2024)
• Player Hiby R2 II (2025)
• Blackmagic Production Camera 4K EF (2025)
• Recorder Zoom H5 (2021)
• Wireless dual-channel microphone system BOYA BY-M1V2 (2023)
• Synthesizer keyboard Arturia Analog Experience The Player 25 (2016)
• Drum machine and sampler Native Instruments Maschine Mikro mkII (2015)
• 3D printer Creality Ender-3 FDM (2022)
• Ballpoint pen Parker Jotter
• Backpack FUTURE.PUMA.ARCHIVE 28L
• Power rack by ironzubr.by (2023)

→ Read more about programs and services that I use and recommend.