Komil Yormatov

Yormatov Komil (May 2, 1904, Konibodom — November 17, 1978, Tashkent) — an Uzbek film director and the founder of Tajik cinema. People's Artist of Uzbekistan (1955), Meritorious Artist of Tajikistan (1939), Meritorious Artist of Uzbekistan (1943). His first film — "Muhojir" (Immigrant, 1934) was filmed at the Tajikfilm studio (he was the screenwriter, director, and lead actor). The films "Faxriy huquq" (Honorary Right), "Uzoq chegarada" (On a Distant Border), and "Doʻstlar qayta uchrashganda" (When Friends Meet Again) were also made at "Tajikfilm". In these films, his unique style, striving for sharp dramatism, and use of complex sets are evident. From 1941, he was the artistic director of "Oʻzbekfilm". During the war years, he created concert films such as "Vatan sovgʻasi" (Gift of the Motherland) and "Front uchun konsert" (Concert for the Front), as well as the feature film "Uyqusiz yillar" (Sleepless Years). The film "Alisher Navoiy" (1947) brought great fame to the director. He participated as an actor in several Uzbek films.

Each creative stage of Yormatov was polished with new nuances, and the films he created solved specific and important tasks facing national cinema. His films on contemporary themes like "Opa-singil Rahmonovalar" (The Rahmanova Sisters), "Gullar ochilganda" (When Flowers Bloom), historical themes like "Abu Ali ibn Sino" (Avicenna), and the fairy-tale film "Paxtaoy" were awarded first-degree diplomas at film festivals. In the 60s, Yormatov created a film trilogy and raised Uzbek cinema art to a new level. His films such as the legendary "Ikki dil dostoni" (Tale of Two Hearts, 1966; International Film Festival's "Golden Apsara" award, 1968), "Nodirabegim" (dedicated to the life of the Uzbek poetess), and "Uzoq-yaqin yillar" (Distant and Near Years, special prize of the film festival, Riga, 1978) also gained fame. A collection of his "Film Scripts" (co-authored with M. Melkumov) and "Memoirs" have been published. He was the secretary of the Cinematographers' Union of Uzbekistan (1958—78). "Oʻzbekfilm" was named after Yormatov. Laureate of the Hamza State Prize of Uzbekistan (1967).