What Remains

A poet breaks free from a life that has become suffocating to reconnect with her inner voice and conscience and allow her creativity to flow again. As she begins to question the conventions of family, identity and the meaning of life, her journey towards self-discovery challenges those around her to reconsider their own lives — taking the whole family in a new direction.

What Remains is the title of the latest feature from Yeşim Ustaoğlu, winner of the Golden Shell for Best Film at the San Sebastián International Film Festival for Pandora’s Box (Pandora'nın Kutusu) (2008), which also earned its leading actress, Tsilla Chelton, the Silver Shell for Best Actress.

On this occasion, the Turkish filmmaker traces the personal voyage of a female poet as she shakes off the stifling shackles of her life to reconnect with herself while questioning everything around her.

With a rich filmography behind her, Ustaoğlu has showcased her works across major global film festivals, including Berlin, Venice, Toronto, San Sebastián, Sundance, and Tokyo. Her notable filmography includes award-winning titles such as The Trace (İz) (1994), Journey to the Sun (Güneşe Yolculuk) (1999), Waiting for the Clouds (Bulutları Beklerken) (2004), Somewhere in Between (Araf) (2012), and Clair Obscur (Tereddüt) (2016).

Selected director's filmography:

1984 To Catch a Moment (short film) / Bir Anı Yakalamak
1989 Magnafantagna (short film) / Magnafantagna
1990 Duet (short film) / Düet
1992 Hotel (short film) / Otel
1994 The Trace / İz
1999 Journey to the Sun / Güneşe Yolculuk
2003 Waiting for the Clouds / Bulutları Beklerken
2004 Life on Their Shoulders / Sırtlarındaki Hayat
2008 Pandora’s Box / Pandora’nın Kutusu
2012 Somewhere in Between / Araf
2016 Clair Obscur / Tereddüt
2026 On The Dry Rock / Kuru Taşın Başı
2026 What Remains / Artakalan