Cinematographer. Born on July 7, 1933, in the village of At-Bashi, At-Bashinsky District, Tien Shan (now Naryn) region, in a family of a civil servant. He received his secondary education in schools in the cities of Przhevalsk and Frunze. In 1953, he enrolled in VGIK (All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography) in the cinematography department. After graduating, he has been working at the studio "Kyrgyzfilm" since 1958.
Documentary cinema has occupied a central place in Turatbekov's work over the past two decades. He has filmed numerous stories and special issues of the newsreel "Soviet Kyrgyzstan," informational and event-based essays ("Decade of Kyrgyz Art in Moscow," 1958; "The Song of Salima," 1960; "Masters of Kyrgyz Art," 1963; "40 Years of Kyrgyzstan," 1966; "Decade of Kyrgyz Art in Tashkent," 1969; "Sary-Kamysh Earthquake," 1970; "Spring Ala-Too," 1976; "Days of Kyrgyzstan in Moscow," 1977; "Kyrgyzstan-78," etc.), 7 issues of the satirical newsreel "Korogoch" (Nos. 1-4 in 1974, Nos. 5-6 in 1975, No. 14 in 1977), and more.
Among the best works of the operator are the films "We Are Climbers" (1965), "If Your Name is Komsomol Member" (1975), "Composer" (1976), "People's Poet," "Students" (both in 1978). He gained wide recognition for "Chaban" (1966) — a story about the Hero of Socialist Labor, member of the Central Committee of the Komsomol Rakhmatala Sartbaev. It was awarded the Central Committee of the Komsomol "Golden Ear" (1969), a first-degree diploma and a prize at the All-Union Festival of Agricultural Films (1968), and a bronze medal at VDNH (1968).
Alongside his cinematic journalism, M. Turatbekov participated as a second operator in the creation of feature films "Toktogul" (1959) by V. Nemolyaev and "Dzhura" (1964) by A. Bergunker. His best work of the 1960s is the visual solution of "Shot at the Karash Pass" (1969) by B. Shamsiyev. Achievements of M. Turatbekov as a cinematographer of feature films also include "Street" (1972) by G. Bazarov and "Burma" (1973) by D. Sodanbek.
Awards — Honorary Certificate of the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR "For active participation in the development of the national economy and culture of the republic in connection with the 40th anniversary of the Kyrgyz SSR and the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan" (1966). Badge "Excellence in Cinematography of the USSR" (1968). Honorary certificate of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR "For achievements in the field of Kyrgyz art" (1969). Medal "For Valorous Labor. In Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of V. I. Lenin" (1970). Medal "For Labor Distinction" — for high production indicators and merits in the development of culture (1971). Honorary certificate of the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR "In honor of the 60th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution" (1977).
Member of the USSR Union of Cinematographers since 1962.
WORKS ON THE OPERATOR'S CREATIVITY
Ashimov K. The Screen of Kyrgyzstan Tells. Moscow, Bureau of Propaganda of Soviet Cinematic Art, 1976, p. 61.
