Tatami is a riveting psychological thriller about an Iranian judo champion fighting to win a world title for her country.
She is on the brink of achieving her goal, when she gets a shocking call from the Iranian authorities: Fake an injury and pull out of the competition.
Tatami stars Arienne Mandi as Leila, a young wife and mother who is totally focussed on winning the world championship for Iran.
But this could mean competing against an Israeli woman, one of her strongest rivals – and under Iranian law it is a criminal offence for Iranians to have any contact with Israelis.
Leila’s coach Maryam (played by the film’s co-director, noted actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi), warns her that her family in Iran could be in danger if she does not follow orders, but she is adamant.
Maryam is also under threat – she gets a barrage of calls demanding that she force Leila to withdraw.
As Leila wins bout after bout, getting closer to victory, the pressure becomes unbearable.
Tatami makes history as the first film with directors from Israel and Iran. The Israeli, Guy Nattiv, is an Oscar winner for his short film Skin.
He said: Tatami is more than a movie to all of us. It’s a creative statement to the world as thousands of innocent Iranian people are paying with their lives for freedom.”
Co-director Amir Ebrahimi, who was exiled from Iran seven years ago, said: “This film is the story of too many Iranian athletes who lost their lifetime opportunities, sometimes forced to leave their countries and beloved ones.”
Elham Erfani, who wrote the script with Nattiv, said,“As an Iranian woman who has experienced the suffocation of life in Iran, I wanted to bring to light the challenges faced by women in Iran.”
The film gives a vivid picture of life under Iran’s authoritarian government, with the tension building from the opening frames.
It focuses on the psychological pressure facing athletes as they get ready to compete. Leila has to fight her opponents, her coach, her country’s officials and her fears as she prepares herself to compete.
All the performances are compelling.
Tatami is shot in black and white with beautiful images from cinematographer Todd Martin.
Tatami is showing at UWA’s Somerville Auditorium from Monday, February 10, to Sunday, February 16, as part of the Lotterywest film festival.
Watch the trailer…
Is Somerville still closed after the tree fall?