Tatami

We are in the Olympic year and season, and 'Tatami' (2023) directed by Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv is the right movie for this season. It can be said that the (Olympic) spirit of sport and the relationship between sport and politics is at the heart of this film. It is a film by and about sports and it is also a political thriller, but above all it is a film about courage. The courage of women who fight to win what for their contemporaries in other countries is something natural - the freedom to be who they are and to live as they want, to compete in sports outside any political constraints and discrimination of any kind and to win when they are the best. I took the risk of missing part of the opening festivities of the Olympics to watch the film and I did not regret the decision, because 'Tatami' fascinated me and kept me nailed in my seat from the first to the last minute of viewing.

Leila Hosseini is an Iranian judoka competing for her country at the World Championships in Tbilisi. Maryam is her coach, a former performance judoka who almost won a medal at the Olympics but had to drop out of the competition to avoid facing an athlete from Israel. The same thing is happening to Leila now. She's in great shape and moving up through the competition, but so is an Israeli opponent with whom Leila has a friendly rivalry. As the chances of the two women meeting in the final stages of the competition increase, history seems to be repeating itself. Iran's Judo Association and the politicians behind it are asking the athlete and her coach to fake a medical problem in order to drop out of the competition. Leila refuses, despite the fact that her family (who supports her) is under threat back home in Iran. Maryam hesitates. If Leila continues, there is no turning back, she will be forced to take the road of exile.

Sports sequences and scenes in the locker and training rooms of the competition alternate at a fast pace. We watch the fights on the tatami and we admire the huge physical and concentration efforts that the athletes have to invest in order to reach the top. At the same time, political and personal drama develop. For Zar Amir Ebrahimi this is a first feature film that she is directing, together with the Israeli Guy Nattiv. She also plays the role of Maryam, and together with Arienne Mandi, who plays the role of Leila, creates two memorable portraits of brave and dignified women who face a dictatorial regime in their desire to represent their country in the competition with dignity and sportsmanship. Chosing exile is an extremely difficult decision and Zar Amir Ebrahimi, who had to make it herself years ago, knows the dilemmas very well. In addition to well-known Iranian filmmakers who create in their country under conditions that are sometimes very difficult, Iranian cinema in exile manages, through international co-productions like this one, to offer another facet of Iranian film art. 'Tatami' is an excellent political and psychological thriller and a wonderful film about courage and dignity.

When I started watching Tatami, I thought I knew what to expect. It felt like it might be a documentary, straightforward and predictable. But soon, the film surprised me, and its tone shifted to something intense and powerful. I quickly felt the characters' restrictions, especially how trapped the main character, Leila, was. The square aspect ratio-which I found odd at first-ended up being the perfect choice. It made the story feel tight and confined, letting me feel every bit of tension. I started noticing every shot and angle, each one adding to the atmosphere.

The movie gave me a new perspective on the struggles these athletes face. It's sad to think about, and it's even sadder to know that, whether it's just as we see in the film or what we sometimes see on the news, people actually live like this. It's heartbreaking how communities can be torn apart by politics and control. The film touched me deeply, exposing the sickness of a system that can manipulate and break people for its own ends.

It's a shame Tatami hasn't gotten more attention. With its unique style and powerful story, it deserves to be seen by more people. It isn't just a movie; it's a look into the lives of people whose stories often go unheard.

"Tatami" is a compelling and emotionally charged drama that manages to deliver both a strong personal story and a quietly intense political message. Set within the competitive world of judo, the film uses the sport as a backdrop to explore themes of identity, pressure, and silent resistance.

What makes this movie stand out is its grounded realism-both in the visual style and the emotional performances. The direction is tight, often using close shots and a limited color palette to create a sense of confinement and tension, reflecting the protagonist's inner turmoil. The lead performance is especially gripping, conveying so much with restraint and subtle expressions.

The story never tries to oversell its message, and yet it hits hard when it needs to. Some parts may feel a bit slow, but that pacing works in favor of the quiet pressure building throughout the film.

"Tatami" is a thoughtful, nuanced film that speaks volumes with silence. A strong piece of cinema that leaves a lasting impression.

I recommend viewers after the film to go to Wikipedia and read about the reality of the real life of the actress who wonderfully portrays the coach Amir Zar Ebrahimi, and also co-director with Guy Nativ in this film. It can be said that the judoka in the film tells the story of her own experiences after she was forced to flee Iran at the last minute to France, after the authorities wanted to imprison her for 6 years, 99 lashes, and a ban on working as an actress in the country, because of her alleged sex tape that was leaked to the net. The film accurately depicts reality The insanity of a country, which also pushes its sports into a corner through mental and physical pressure, as happened to the athlete who dared to compete without a head covering and "disappeared". The film is a message to the degenerate and hypocritical world of who Iran is since the Islamic revolution, what is the fate of women in the country and how at the end of the day They look to the side and do not help the women there.

Tatami is a film that feels special.

Tatami is about an Iranian judoka that participates in world champion ship in Tbilisi, Georgia. As she comes further into the competition the Iranian government becomes worried that she might need to fight against an Israeli judoka. This forms a challenge for her does she choose her sport and passion or her country and safety.

As the film started I noticed immediately that it was in black and white (which is hard not to notice I must admit), i was scared for the film about this choice. A film can thrive in the simpleness that black and white brings but can also destroy it if the story isn't strong enough. For Tatami it thankfully it was the first, the black and white made the story the centre in the film. Making you not distracted by anything else and keeping you in a hold that judoka would perform on you. It kept you on your toes as you were constantly wondering what would happen next. It helped that the whole story basically took place on one day, making it not drawn out.

The acting was good but could be better. The acting felt a bit over acted at times which made you lose your attention, from what was happening.

In the end I would highly recommend this film to anyone. You will regret it if you don't watch this political personal drama.

8.