Tatamithe groundbreaking Iranian drama, co-directed by Oscar winner Guy Nattiv (Gouda, Skin) and Cannes Best Actress winner Zar Amir Ebrahimi (Shayda, Holy Spider), has landed a number of major international territory deals after premiering at the Venice Film Festival.
WestEnd Films has completed sales of the feature film – the first to be co-directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker – for Italy (Bim Distribuzione), France (Metropolitan), Portugal (Nos), Benelux (Cineart), Greece (Cinobo) , Scandinavia (Mislabel), Spain (Vertigo), Germany and Switzerland (Wild Bunch) and Israel (United King). Discussions are underway for North America, Great Britain and all other areas. Range represents North America together with Westend.
Based on real life stories, Tatami follows Iranian female judokas Leila (Arienne Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Ebrahimi), who travel to the World Judo Championship with the intention of bringing home Iran’s first gold medal. Midway through the match, they receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to feign an injury and lose or be branded a traitor to the state. With her own freedom and that of her family at stake, she is faced with an impossible choice: obey the Iranian regime, as her coach begs her, or continue fighting for the gold.
After a rapturous reception in Venice, Tatami recently screened at the Zurich Film Festival and will have its Asian premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival on October 25. The film has also been selected by the European Film Academy for this year’s feature film selection.
Tatami is produced by veteran producer Mandy Tagger Brockey (A late quartet) and Adi Ezroni (Save yourself!), alongside Nattiv and Jaime Ray Newman of New Native Pictures. Other crew includes director of photography Todd Martin (winner of best cinematography at Tribeca 2021 for The newcomer) and editor Yuval Orr (Aliens, skin).
The film is produced by Keshet Studios and New Native Pictures in association with White Lodge Productions.
