Andrey Iskanov, a talented Russian-born photographer and filmmaker, emerged onto the scene in 1976, hailing from the city of Khabarovsk. Initially, he embarked on a career in medicine, yet his true vocation lay in the realm of photography, where he could unleash his creative potential. As a photographer, Iskanov has garnered widespread recognition for his exceptional work in the advertising sphere, his accomplishments culminating in a prestigious award in 1997.
Throughout the extensive trajectory of his professional endeavors, Iskanov has consistently demonstrated his remarkable photography skills by showcasing his impressive body of work at numerous personal exhibitions held in both Russia and China.
As a multifaceted individual, Iskanov possesses a diverse range of talents, including expertise in both photography and cinematography, as well as proficiency in the realms of professional make-up artistry and special effects design.
Throughout his career, Iskanov has worked as a photographer for various esteemed newspapers, including the prominent "Arguments and the Facts" and the influential "The Amur Meridian", further solidifying his reputation as a talented and versatile visual artist.
Andrzej Iskanov's creative endeavors extend far beyond the realm of photography, as he has also explored the realm of filmmaking. His impressive portfolio includes providing expert guidance and training for domestic and international photo models. In 2003, Iskanov unveiled two feature films as part of his ambitious fantasy/surreal serial, HalluCinoGeNnN, which consisted of the films "Nails" and "Visions of Suffering". The former, "Nails", is a thought-provoking social horror film that bears striking similarities to the cinematic masterpieces of David Lynch's "Eraserhead" and Shinya Tsukamoto's "Tetsuo". On the other hand, "Visions of Suffering" is a hauntingly surreal horror film that encapsulates Iskanov's unique concept of "film-dream", a cinematic representation of his subconscious mind.
Iskanov's most remarkable cinematic endeavor to date is undoubtedly the thought-provoking and unsettling historical film "Philosophy of a Knife". This gripping and emotionally charged motion picture delves deep into the dark and sinister realm of human experimentation, specifically the inhumane and heinous acts perpetrated by Japanese Unit 731 against Chinese and Russian prisoners during the tumultuous period of World War II.
As the film unfolds, it becomes increasingly apparent that the atrocities committed by Unit 731 were nothing short of brutal and inhumane, leaving a lasting scar on the collective consciousness of humanity. The film's runtime of over four hours serves as a testament to the meticulous attention to detail and the sheer scope of the subject matter, which is nothing short of staggering.
Not surprisingly, the film's explicit and unflinching portrayal of these heinous crimes has resulted in official bans and confiscations, with Germany being one of the countries that has taken a strong stance against the film's controversial content. Despite this, "Philosophy of a Knife" remains a powerful and thought-provoking work that continues to spark important conversations and debates about the nature of humanity and the importance of confronting the darker aspects of our shared history.
