Title of film : Tatami
Director Name : Guy Nattiv,Zar Amir Ebrahimi
Cast & crew :
Producer : Adi Ezroni,Mandy Tagger Brockey,Guy Nattiv,Ori Allon,Jaime Ray Newman
Editor : Yuval Orr
Cast :
Synopsis : In the midst of the Judo World Championships, Iranian judoka Leila and her coach Maryam face intense pressure from the Islamic Republic to fake an injury and withdraw, fearing repercussions if Leila competes against an Israeli athlete. Despite threats to her and her family, Leila refuses to comply, leading to a heated conflict with Maryam, who urges her to prioritize safety. Under mounting pressure, Leila injures herself and loses to a Georgian opponent. Iranian officials try to forcibly return Maryam to Iran, but she escapes. Ultimately, Leila, her family, and Maryam seek asylum in France, finding safety and freedom.
Director Bio : Guy Nattiv, an Israeli filmmaker based in the U.S., is best known for his Oscar-winning short film Skin (2018) and for being one of two Israeli directors to receive an Academy Award. Born in 1973, his early works include the short film Strangers, which won multiple awards, and his debut feature, Mabul. His collaborations with Erez Tadmor produced acclaimed films, such as Magic Men. Nattiv’s feature-length Skin explores neo-Nazism and personal transformation, premiering at the Toronto Film Festival. In 2023, he co-directed Tatami with Iranian filmmaker Zar Amir Ebrahimi, marking a historic collaboration. His upcoming project, Harmonia, is inspired by his grandmother’s experiences.
Director Bio : Zar Amir Ebrahimi, born in Tehran in 1981, is an acclaimed Iranian-French actress, producer, and director. She gained global recognition for her role as journalist Arezoo Rahimi in Holy Spider (2022), winning Best Actress at Cannes and earning critical praise. Previously banned from Iranian media after a scandal, she fled to France in 2008, where she rebuilt her career through diverse projects, including founding Alambic Production and collaborating with the BBC. Known for her courage and activism, she supports Iranian rights and has recently starred in and co-directed Tatami, premiering at Venice. In 2023, she joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and signed with United Talent Agency.
Filmography :
