Tatami

Tatami is an impressive political thriller, inspired by true events, that will keep you on the edge of your seat. When a judoka is asked to lose on purpose at the World Championship, a blood-curdling battle ensues that is fought both on the mat (the tatami) and off it. Judoka Leila (Arienne Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Zar Amir) go to the World Judo Championship to win a gold medal for Iran. Leila is ready and has a good chance of winning. But then the Iranian regime sees that there may be a round against an Israeli opponent. They do everything they can to get Leila out of the competition. When her own freedom and that of her family are threatened, Leila is faced with an impossible choice. Will she succumb to the pressure of the Iranian regime, or will she not let this opportunity for gold be taken away from her? And what consequences will her choice have for the rest of her life? Zar Amir (Holy Spider) directed the film together with Guy Nattiv. This makes it the first feature film directed jointly by an Iranian and Israeli filmmaker. TATAMI premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Brian Award. An award that supports the values ​​of freedom of expression, respect for human rights and democracy.