The DVD was just sitting there on the shelf at the library, so I had to see it.It is in French and Russian with English subtitles. However it is often hard to tell whether they were in Georgia or France.Otar studied medicine in the East European country of Georgia but went to Paris to make a living. He regularly sent letters back home with some money in them. Sometimes he called. From the smile on her face and the tone in her voice we know his elderly mother missed him, and saved a special place in her heart for him.Otar's mother is Esther Gorintin as Eka. The middle family member was Otar's sister, Nino Khomasuridze as Marina. And the junior member was Dinara Drukarova as Ada (pronounced 'ahh - daa').The film was made in a very natural style, it seemed that we were looking at real people going about their lives. It is a very touching story, but it is told in punishingly slow motion. Even when Eka walks in slow motion. The last half hour is worth the wait, but it seems as if there was a 35 or 40 minute movie here, that was told very slowly to fill 95 minutes.SPOILERS: The family gets word that Otar had a very bad accident, Ada and Nino went to see him but found that he had died from a 5-story fall from a scaffold. They didn't have the heart to tell old Eka, so pretended he was doing fine. Ada even went as far as writing fake letters from Otar. But old Eka had to see her son again before she couldn't, so sold all the valuables in her home to afford airfare. She brought along her daughter and her granddaughter. While the two younger women looked up Otar's grave, Eka went looking for him at the building of his address. She found out the truth, but hid it from Ada and Nino because she didn't want to upset them, instead saying Otar had gone off to America to make his life. As they were all in the airport terminal to go back to Georgia, Ada went to buy magazines, but she didn't return. Instead she told them goodbye through glass walls, she stayed in Paris to make her life.

Since Otar has left is a humanist tale directed by Julie Bertucelli who in the past worked as assistant to great Georgian master of cinema Otar Iosseliani.This film can be likened to Samuel Beckett's famous play "Waiting for Godot" as in both these works of art the important focal element is that of patience.For those who are into serious cinema mention must be made of Hungarian classic film "Szerelem" directed by Makk Karoly.Both these films have a lot of common elements namely protagonists who are not near their families as well as brave women who carry on with their own personal lives in the absence of a male member in their life.Some astute viewers might like to know about Georgia-France connection as depicted in the film.This comes from the fact that one of the film's characters is interested in French language and literature and for that purpose at her home,she has a very good collection of classics of French literature.The only defect of this film is its innocuous end which might appear as too deceitfully agreeable to some astute viewers.

This film presents a somewhat clichéd plot about concealing something from a family member for her own good, set off by the fact that it takes place in a little-known country, Georgia, is shot with emotional and artistic honesty, and contains a striking performance by a 95-year-old woman! And although I could see the beginning of the "deception" plot coming, there was at least one twist near the end that I did not anticipate, although I wasn't entirely blown away by it either. The final twist was a lot easier to anticipate, but then, I think that was deliberate. Definitely an interesting depiction of the other side of the disaporic experience, specifically, those who are "left" behind. Not entirely exceptional, but certainly worthwhile.

This was one of the best films I've ever seen. It was simply magnificent--human, and true in a way that modern films rarely display. The cinematography was skillful; the amount of time on a given scene varied, with the variety quite significant in terms of its meaning. (For instance, the cut to the "Conservation" (cemetery) was an example of this.) I will see this beautiful film again, and give it my highest recommendation. My hat is off in tribute to the director, producer, writer, and actors.