Directed by Yesim Ustaoglu Written by Yesim Ustaoglu, Sema Kaygusuz Cast: Tsilla Chelton, Derya Alabora, Övül Avkıran, Onur Ünsal 2008 / 112 min. / In Turkish with English subtitles
SYNOPSIS
Two sisters and a brother live in the center of Istanbul today. They are in their thirties and forties, and lead very different lives, self centered on their upper – middle class preoccupations. One day, a phone call brings them together on a voyage through Turkey’s suburbs and villages to the small town in the Black Sea mountains where they were born. Their aged mother, Nusret, has disappeared. As the siblings start reminiscing about her, the tensions between them quickly become apparent; like a Pandora’s box which is spilled open, all the unresolved disputes are scattered around. Old wounds are opened up again.
SELECTED FESTIVALS AND AWARDS
MedFilm Festival, Italy (2009): Eurimages Italy Award
The Castellinaria International Film Festival, Switzerland (2009): The 3rd Castles
Cinemanila International Film Festival, The Phillipines (2009): Vic Silayan Award-Best Actress (Tsilla Chelton)
San Sebastian International Film Festival, Spain (2008): Best Film "Golden Shell", Best Actress "Silver Shell" (Tsilla Chelton)
Fajr International Film Festival, Iran (2009): Christal Simorgh - Special Jury Prize, Best Performances (Tsilla Chelton, Derya Alabora, Övül Avkiran)
Amiens International Film Festival, France (2008): Best Performance (Tsilla Chelton)
Valenciennes International Film Festival, France (2009): Best Actress (Tsilla Chelton)
Istanbul Film Festival, Turkey (2009): Best Actress (Derya Alabora)
Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, Turkey (2008): Best Supporting Actress (Övül Avkiran)
Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Greece (2006): Crossroad Best European Project
Director YESIM USTAOGLU
After making several award-winning shorts, Yesim Ustaoglu made her feature film debut with 1994's The Trace (Iz). The film was presented at numerous international festivals, including Moscow and Gotenburg.
Yesim Ustaoglu received international recognition for her 1999 film, Journey to the Sun (Gunese Yolculuk). In competition at the Berlin Film Festival, Journey to the Sun received the Blue Angel Award (Best European Film) and the Peace Prize. The moving story of a courageous friendship undaunted by political cruelty, Journey to the Sun swept the Istanbul Film Festival by winning Best Film, Best Director, the Fipresci Prize and the Audience Award.
Her third feature film, Waiting for the Clouds (Bulutlari Beklerken), the story of a woman forced to live for 50 years with the haunting secrets of a hidden identity, was awarded NHK Sundance-International Filmmaker's Award (screened at the 5th Boston Turkish Film Festival, 2005). Film traveled many festivals and established a strong reputation for the director.
Ustaoglu's fourth film, Pandora's Box (Pandora'nin Kutusu) tells the story of an old woman who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. The film won The Best Film and The Best Actress Awards in San Sebastian Film Festival. Having participated many international festivals and winning many awards, the film was also theatrically released in many countries.
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9th ANNUAL BOSTON TURKISH FILM FESTIVAL SM 
