Tatami

Iranian judoka Leila and her coach Maryam travel to the World Judo Championships with the goal of bringing home Iran’s first gold medal. Midway through the tournament, they receive an order from the Islamic Republic for Leila to feign an injury and lose, or she will be branded a traitor to the state. With her freedom and that of her family at stake, Leila faces an impossible choice: to submit to the Iranian regime as her coach advises or to fight for gold. This is the first feature film co-directed by Iranian Zar Amir-Ebrahimi (who won Best Actress at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival) and Israeli Guy Nattiv (Oscar winner for Best Live Action Short Film in 2018). The film was shot secretly in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 2022.

US/UK/GE, 2023, 105 min.; en, fa / cz tit