SINCE OTAR LEFT
Georgia/France 2005
Drama 103 min
Director: Julie Bertuccelli Cast: Esther Gorintin, Ninio Khomasuridze, Dinara Drukarova Awards: Critics Week Grand Prize at Cannes 2003, Best 1st fiction at Cesar Awards, Best Actress (Drukarova) at Acteurs A l'Ecran 2003Since
Otar leaves his home town of Tbilisi in search of a better life in Paris. His mother, sister and niece are left behind, their hopes kept alive by his occasional letters and phone calls.
Documentary filmmaker Julie Bertucelli brings to the screen a deceptively simple story, with exquisitely drawn characters that will stay with you long after the film ends. The three women, Eka, Marina and Ada, who live in a small book-filled apartment in Tbilisi, are closely and tenderly observed. The absent Otar is a constant presence in the plot, and Eka displays a fierce pride and confidence in him. Marina receives news that Otar was killed in Paris and is distraught at the thought of her mother finding out the devastating news.
The wonderful performances make this film stand out, particularly the 90-year old Esther Gorintin (Eka in the film), who started her acting career at 85.