Yeşim Ustaoğlu

A master of emotional storytelling, Turkish director Yeşim Ustaoğlu was born in 1960 in Saray, Turkey. Ustaoğlu has been active in the film industry since the late 1980s, mainly focusing on drama and social realist genres, with her most famous films including "Journey to the Sun" and "Pandora's Box," both of which have won numerous awards at international film festivals. Her authorial style is often characterized by a sharp focus on social issues, human rights and the inner world of her characters, often women, who are portrayed in their struggle against societal norms and expectations. Yeşim Ustaoğlu, with her empathetic narrative style and brave storytelling, truly is a beacon of Turkish cinema, illuminating the shadows of society and human nature.