Screenshot from the movie
Monday, September 4, 2023 / 08:55
Iranian director Zahraa Amir Ibrahimi and Israeli director Guy Nativ said on Sunday that the first joint Iranian-Israeli film was filmed in secret, to prevent possible interference from Tehran.
The movie “Tatami” was shown for the first time at the Venice Film Festival earlier this week and received a standing ovation from the audience. It highlights a world judo championship.
The events take place over the course of a single day, when an Iranian judoka, played by the Persian-speaking American actress Aryene Mandy, is ordered to fake an injury to avoid a possible confrontation with an Israeli rival.
Amir Ebrahimi and Natif filmed the film in Georgia, which Iranians can easily enter.. Each stayed in a different hotel from the other and spoke in English and did not disclose that they were filming a film charged with political issues.
“I know there are a lot of Iranians there, so we were working on keeping it quiet and confidential,” said Zahraa, also an award-winning actress. In the film, she plays the terrified Iranian trainer.
“We were undercover…we know it’s dangerous,” Nativ said. “Golda,” also directed by Nativ, was shown at the Berlin Film Festival for the first time this year.
Iran does not recognize the existence of Israel and has banned its athletes from competing with Israeli athletes.
In an incident that inspired the makers of the movie (Tatami), the International Judo Federation punished Iran in 2021 with a four-year ban, for putting pressure on one of its athletes not to face an Israeli player.
