Our Review

1:45

                          Movie: TATAMI

             Rating: NR,  In English and Persian                                                     with English subtitles

                                   Length: 1:45

                    Release Date: June 13, 2025  

Jeanne: TATAMI is a timely, necessary reminder of the tensions between Iran and Israel, particularly considering the current situation. Based on a screenplay written by Elham Erfani and Guy Natttiv, who also co-directs with Zar Amir, who plays the Iranian coach, Maryam, TATAMI exposes the drama of athletes from both countries when competing against one another.

The film takes place during one day at the World Judo Championship. Iran’s Judoka, Leila (Arienne Mandi), is determined to win a gold medal --- a first for Iran. As she begins to prevail in match after match, halfway through the event, her coach Maryam receives a call from the powers that be in the Islamic Republic demanding that she convince Leila to drop out of the competition. Ultimately, should Leila continue to win, she would face the Judoka from Israel.

Maryam pleads with the Iranian officials to allow Leila to continue, but those entreaties fall on deaf ears. Both Maryam and Leila’s families are threatened, leaving Leila with an impossible choice.

TATAMI makes history by being the first feature film to be co-directed by an Iranian and Israeli filmmaker. They met in Los Angeles with Zar initially assisting Guy with details. For his movie he also had Zar in mind immediately for the role of Maryam. Their collaboration led to Zar becoming co-director. Together they have created a very tense, very compelling film.

An exhaustive search was executed to find the right actor to play Leila --- and Arienne is flat out amazing. She knew nothing about judo, but after spending months working with Philippe Moretti of Hollywood Judo Dojo, she did all her own fighting against world-class champions Judokas. Plus, she’s an incredible actor.

She and Zar have a uniquely strong bond which translates into a solid athlete and coaching relationship. Zar won Cannes Film Festival Best Actress for her role in HOLY SPIDER, truly one of the best films of 2022. And here, she is equally riveting.

TATAMI, which refers to the mats used in judo, is an effective tool against the tyrannies of authoritarianism. It couldn’t come at a better time. And it should be required viewing in every high school across America!

Opinion: See It Now!

David: Who would have thought that a black-and-white film involving judo competition featuring an Iranian woman could be so compelling? Such is the case with TATAMI.

TATAMI is a seamless story from start to finish about Leila Hosseini (Arienne Mandi), an Iranian judoka --- that is, an expert in judo --- who is competing at the World Judo Championships in Georgia (the country, not the state). She is coached by Maryam (Zar Amir) and it is their goal that Leila brings home Iran’s first gold medal.

However, after Leila wins her first couple of matches, Maryam receives an ultimatum from a representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader that Leila must stop competing, even if it means faking an injury. The Irani Mullah is worried that Leila may eventually compete against an Israeli judoka in the finals, something that is forbidden in Iran.

This sets up an impossible situation for Leila, as Maryam and her family are threatened if she does not comply. Leila refuses to give up her dream and, of course, she faces dire threats as well. It also creates a serious conflict between long-time friends Leila and Maryam.

The movie is not explicit about the potential political fallout of an Israeli-Irani finale, but it has something to do with Iran not recognizing Israel as a legitimate state. More importantly, the story is squarely focused on Leila’s will and her desire to win --- even in the face of defying Iranian authorities. To that end, Mandi, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, and who studied judo and became fluent in Farsi for this role, delivers a marvelous performance. Amir, as well, gives a strong and sympathetic turn as Leila’s coach.

We also are privy to some judo strategies and tactics that may have some viewers consulting Google, but it is not relevant that we understand these in any great detail. The important aspects of the story are the arrogance and cruelty of a regime that totally disrespects women.

Ms. Amir, who was named Cannes Film Festival Best Actress for her role in HOLY SPIDER in 2022,  co-directed TATAMI with Israeli filmmaker Guy Nattiv --- he also co-wrote this script --- making it the first feature film to be co-directed by an Iranian and an Israeli.  Nattiv is an Oscar winner for SKIN (2019) in the Best Live Action Short category.

Opinion: See It Now!