Suimenkul Chokmorov is one of the most well-known Kyrgyz figures, along with the writer Chyngyz Aitmatov. Lover of the arts in general, Chokmorov was a very talented actor and an excellent painter. He was also a sport amateur regardless of his fragile health.

A short biography

Suimenkul Chokmorov was born in a small Kyrgyz village called Chon Tash on November 9^th 1939. He was excellent in all domains, but particularly in arts and crafts. He graduated from several distinguished colleges, including the Leningrad Academy of Arts in 1964 and the Frunze School of Arts.

Chokmorov is mostly known as an actor and painter. His successful career led him to become a jury for the 10^th International Film Festival of Moscow in 1977.

Suimonkul Chokmorov died on September 26th 1992, leaving behind him wonderful movies and stunning paintings.  

Suimenkul Chokmorov in the movies

After appearing in a few movies, Suimenkul Chokmorov got his first role in a movie at the age of 27. His exceptional talent led him to become famous among movie directors very quickly. He became the main actor in “A Shooting at the Karash Pass” in 1969, and that same year played Daniyar in “Djamiliya”, a film from Irina Poplavskaya inspired from the beautiful story signed Chyngyz Aitmatov. He starred in three other movies based on Aitmatov’s novels:

• « I am Tian Shan »,
• « The Red Apple »,
• « Early Birdies »

Suimonkul Chokmorov also played in the following movies:

• Extraordinary Commissar (1970)

• The Seventh Bullet (1972)
• The Ferocious One (1974)
• Dersu Uzala (1975)

Suimenkul Chokmorov’s paintings

Suimonkul Chokmorov was not only a talented actor. He was also a great painter. In between two movie shoots, he would go back to his village and dedicate his time to painting. He also taught fine arts in the Frunze Academy of Arts. His most famous masterpieces include:

•  « Spring in a village » (1985),
• « Flourishing » (1987),
• « Portrait of a veteran Sadybakasov »,
• « S.Karalaev portrait » (1971),
• « Sayakbai manaschy »,
• « Kyrgyz crafts experts » (1986),
• « Celebration » (1987).

Suimenkul Chokmorov and sports

Suimenkul Chokmorov was always a great sportsmen. Since his childhood, he had been suffering from poor health and diseases, but this only gave him more motivation to take on sports. Chokmorov even integrated the Kyrgyz national volleyball team as well as the Leningrad Team.

Photo: Sputnik