News

The political situation in the Middle East has been tense for many years, as up to this day, some countries still refuse to recognize the state of Israel, established in 1948. This attitude results, among others, in boycotts of Israel in sports. During international tournaments, some Arab and Muslim athletes deliberately avoid competing against Israelis, as it’s prohibited by the Islamic clergy and mosque leaders. Certain countries, most notably Iran, even go so far as to mandate that their athletes do not compete against Israelis or in Israel. In this context, it’s important to mention that “Tatami” is the first feature movie co-directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker – Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv. It premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival where it was nominated for the Venice Horizons Award, and won the Brian Award. It was also awarded the Special Jury Prize, and the...

At a moment of war and deep division in the Middle East, a film co-directed by an Israeli and an Iranian is already a victory in and of itself. But the gripping sports drama Tatami, which follows a female judo champ whose career is severely jeopardized by Iran’s government during an international tournament, is more than just a promising collaboration between two filmmakers hailing from opposing sides of the conflict.

Set during one nail-biting day at the world championship in Tbilisi, Tatami — whose title refers to the mat where judoka fighters engage in combat — is both a riveting story of an athlete trying to achieve gold for the first time, and a searing political thriller where Iranian women are subjected to persecution, intimidation and possibly kidnapping at the hands of their country’s far-reaching authoritarian regime. Vibrantly helmed and performed, with co-director and Cannes best actress winner Zar Amir Ebrahimi...