Cinematography:
Todd MartinComposer:
Dascha DauenhauerCast:
Arienne Mandi, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Jaime Ray Newman, Nadine Marshall, Mehdi Bajestani, Lir Katz, Elham ErfaniPlots(1)
Midway through the Judo World Championships, Iranian female judo fighter Leila and her coach Maryam receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose, lest she be branded a traitor of the state. With her own and her family’s freedom at stake, Leila is faced with an impossible choice: comply with the Iranian regime as her coach Maryam implores her to do, or fight on, for the gold. Tatami is the first feature film to be co-directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker. (Venice International Film Festival)
(more)Reviews (1)
If anyone still believes that sports and politics don't mix, they should drop that naive notion immediately — these two have always been intertwined and always will be. Tatami brings this to life through the story of an Iranian judoka who defies the absurd demands of the Islamic regime, refusing to comply at a huge personal cost. This inspiring tale of a strong woman and her courage stands out with its refined presentation — the choice of black-and-white cinematography and the 4:3 aspect ratio intensify the tension of a story mostly set in a single hall in Tbilisi during the Judo World Championships. The film’s intimate and focused narrative is elevated by dynamic camera work that gets under your skin, ramping up the tension. The brilliantly edited judo matches are another highlight. Altogether, this creates a deeply compelling experience that will stay with me for a long time.
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