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Tatami, by Zar Amir-Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv
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Tatami is the first feature film to be co-directed by Israeli director Guy Nattiv, who recently gave us the biographical movie Golda, and Iranian director and actress Zar Emir Ebrahimi, who was honoured with an acting prize in Cannes for her performance in Holy Spider. The present film - a political and decidedly feminist sports thriller which manages to hold the tension from the first image right on through to the last - sees Ebrahimi taking up position behind the cameras as well as playing the part of coach character Maryam. Whether it's a matter of fighting for the title of world judo champion or demanding respect as a free and independent woman, the protagonist of Tatami sacrifices her own body on the altar of the feminist cause.
Presented in a world premiere within Venice's Orizzonti section and more recently in Geneva's Black Movie Festival, Tatami is set during the judo world championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. Things are going surprisingly well for Iranian judoka Leila (an incredible Arienne Mandi), supported by her ever-faithful coach Maryam, but right in the middle of the competition the Iranian Judo Federation, and then the Islamic Republic, order her - using decidedly unlawful means - to withdraw from the competition to prevent her from coming face to face with the Israeli opponent whom they're terrified she'll lose against. Her family is in danger, but Tatami's protagonist isn't easily intimidated: she's determined to assert the universal rights that should be guaranteed for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation...
BY Muriel Del Don
READ MORE: Review: Tatami - Cineuropa
