In the cinematic release 'Tatami', an Iranian judoka's struggle off the wrestling floor is unveiled.
In an unprecedented collaboration, Israeli and Iranian filmmakers team up for the gripping political thriller, Tatami. Directed by Guy Nattiv and Zar Amir, this groundbreaking film explores the impossible choice faced by Iranian judoka, Leila Hosseini. Faced with the pressure of competing not just for victory but for survival, Leila finds herself in the heat of a high-stakes game.
The World Judo Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, is where Leila's journey unfolds. When she's scheduled to face an Israeli opponent, the Iranian government threats force her to fake an injury and withdraw from the competition. Her family's safety is at risk, and she must make a life-altering decision.
This tale is inspired by the heart-wrenching stories of Iranian athletes forced to abandon their dreams. Tatami delves into the agonizing choice they faced: submit to the regime and forfeit the match, or compete despite the risks.
Tatami represents a phenomenal achievement, marking the first-ever co-directing effort between an Israeli and an Iranian – no small feat given the decades-long conflict between the two nations. Notably, Zar Amir, the co-director, also plays the role of Maryam Ghanbari, Leila's dedicated coach since childhood. In the film, Maryam is pressured to force Leila to fake an injury to withdraw from the competition.
Arienne Mandi plays a stellar Leila, and both Amir and Mandi spent a lot of time training with real judokas, preparing for their roles inspired by real-life events like those of Saeid Mollaei, who was forced to lose intentionally at the 2019 World Championships to avoid facing an Israeli athlete.
The film was shot in secret due to security concerns for the rare Israeli-Iranian alliance. "We had to call this project a different name, we spoke only English, we were in different hotels, and it was a closed set. So we just wanted to make sure that we aren't a target," Nattiv explained.
Judo is a sport that encourages camaraderie and respect. The Iranian regime, however, is fiercely against their athletes competing against Israelis because acknowledging them would require bowing, an act considered an insult.
Amir's work in Tatami is deeply rooted in her personal history. Originally from Iran, she fled the country in 2008. Her award-winning performance in the film Holy Spider brought unwanted attention from her birthplace, and she has faced threats since her Cannes win.
"When I do a movie like Holy Spider or Tatami, it's not just only making a movie for me. It's so important how we do this movie, how we bring these kinds of stories to cinema. I don't mind anymore if I get threats. I think since I show it that I don't have any fear, I really get less and less threats," Amir says.
The film arrives at a pivotal moment in Israel-Iran relations, as tensions escalate to an all-out conflict. "Collaboration between so-called enemies will heal more. So from my point of view, I just feel that art heals. This is our weapon. Make art, not war," Nattiv comments.
Ultimately, Tatami offers a unique perspective on the sensitive and volatile relationship between Iran and Israel, shedding light on the human impact of political tensions. The film challenges viewers to reconsider their prejudices about the conflict and look beyond nationalistic identities to see the humanity and shared experiences of individuals on both sides.
- Leila's decision to fake an injury was triggered by the threats from the Iranian government that posed a risk to her family's safety.
- The co-directors, Zar Amir and Guy Nattiv, spent a considerable amount of time training and preparing for their roles, drawing inspiration from real-life ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues faced by athletes like Saeid Mollaei.
- The sports of judo and football symbolize unity and respect, but the Iranian regime imposes a risk by forbidding their athletes from competing against Israelis due to the cultural implications of acknowledging them, such as the act of bowing considered an insult.
- Zar Amir's powerful performances in Holy Spider and Tatami have brought her notoriety, and she has received threats since her Cannes win, but she feels that these films offer a platform to challenge prejudices and promote healing through art.
