THE OPINION OF “THE WORLD” – TO SEE
This is rare enough to be noted right away: Tatami is the first film directed by an Israeli and an Iranian, while their countries are waging a war that is becoming less and less covert, rekindled by recent events in the Middle East. The two also have in common that they left their native land. Guy Nattiv, 51, emigrated to the United States, where he lives and works. He has made five feature films to date, including Strangers in 2007 (an Israeli and a Palestinian woman meet in Berlin) and Skin in 2018 (the redemption of a young American neo-Nazi). Zar Amir, 43, a renowned actress in Iran, went into exile in France in 2006, and won the Best Actress Award at Cannes in 2022 for The Nights of Mashhada film about a serial killer Persian by Ali Abbasi, a remarkable Danish filmmaker of Iranian origin.
Tatamithe project that brings them together, takes place during a Judo World Cup in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Iranian delegation sends Leila (Arienne Mandi), its most experienced athlete, accompanied by her coach, Maryam (Zar Amir), to win a gold medal. On her way, however, Leila must face an Israeli judoka.
The anti-Zionism of the Islamic Republic, which advocates a complete boycott of the State of Israel pending its destruction, has never allowed such a situation to arise. Immediately, the steamroller is set in motion, exerted remotely first by incessant calls, then through local diplomatic personnel, on the person of the trainer, who is demanded to make the judoka obey her.
Two dramatic threads
Leila, a block of pure energy and an iron character, does not hear it that way. She wants to go all the way, whatever the cost. No reason other than sporting seems to explain this choice. From which, the authors interweave two dramatic threads. The thread Leila, whose obstinacy will clearly endanger, not only herself but also the family and friends who support her in the country, to which the staging returns regularly.
And the thread Maryam, torn between her relationship with Leila, who increasingly escapes her influence, and the threats that are made against her in Tehran. The depth of the character here lies in the fact that Leila’s story repeats the one she herself experienced, a few years ago, as an athlete, without showing as much determination.
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