‘TATAMI’ Teaser Unveiled: The Fight for Dignity in Iranian Female Judo

The film ‘TATAMI’ is set to be released in Japan on February 28.

Co-directed by Guy Nattiv, known for winning the Short Film (Live Action) Oscar for ‘SKIN’ and the upcoming feature version distributed by A24, and Zara Amir, who won the Best Actress award at the 75th Cannes Film Festival for ‘Holy Spider,’ ‘TATAMI’ is a socially charged drama based on true events. Set against the backdrop of political interference in sports, the complex Middle Eastern situation, and the oppression of women in Iranian society, the film captures the relentless “fight” of athletes through immersive visuals. The film earned the Special Jury Prize and Best Actress Award at the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival.

The story unfolds at the Women’s World Judo Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia. Representing Iran, judoka Leila Hosseini and her coach Maryam Ghamari are advancing smoothly until they are ordered by the government to forfeit the match to avoid facing Israel, an enemy state, just as they approach a gold medal. Faced with the threat to herself and her family, Leila must decide whether to feign injury and comply with the Iranian government or continue to fight for freedom and dignity, a decision that could change her life forever.

Notably, TATAMI is the first film in history to feature collaboration between two people of Israeli and Iranian heritage. Filming was conducted in secrecy, and all Iranian participants in the production have since defected. The film is currently banned in Iran. Co-directors Guy Nattiv and Zara Amir issued a statement saying, “May this artistic and cinematic collaboration serve as a gift of respect to artists, athletes, and all people, transcending blind hatred and the frenzy of mutual destruction, and building a shared future.”

The released teaser trailer opens with the entrance of the Iranian women’s judo team, aiming for the country’s first gold medal at the World Judo Championship. The intense scene captures Leila Hosseini’s focused demeanor before the first match, setting the stage for the high stakes ahead.