Tatami (2025) Movie Review – A Tense and Powerful Blend of Sports and Politics
Tatami isn’t just a gripping sports drama—it’s a politically charged, emotionally intense story of resistance, courage, and sacrifice. Co-directed by Israeli filmmaker Guy Nattiv and Iranian actress-director Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Tatami stands as a historic collaboration that echoes far beyond the judo mat.
Plot Summary: When Sport Meets State Pressure
The film follows Leila Hosseini (Arienne Mandi), a talented Iranian judoka competing at the World Judo Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. She’s poised to make history by winning Iran’s first-ever gold medal in the sport. But as her winning streak brings her closer to a potential match against an Israeli opponent, the Iranian government intervenes. Officials demand Leila withdraw to avoid the “shame” of possibly losing to an Israeli athlete—putting her in an impossible situation where personal ambition collides with state ideology.
Leila’s coach, Maryam (played by co-director Zar Amir Ebrahimi), is torn between protecting her athlete and complying with a regime that doesn’t tolerate dissent. As political threats intensify—including pressure on family members back in Iran—the stakes rise beyond sport. Victory becomes about more than a medal. It’s about dignity, agency, and resistance.
A Groundbreaking Collaboration in Middle Eastern Cinema
Tatami is the first feature film co-directed by an Iranian and an Israeli—an act of defiance in itself. In a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, the mere existence of this film is a bold artistic statement for peace and unity. But the story it tells is just as bold, confronting censorship, sexism, and authoritarian control head-on.
Tatami Movie: Performance & Cinematography
Arienne Mandi delivers a fierce, grounded performance as Leila. She balances strength and vulnerability in a role that demands both physical and emotional resilience. Zar Amir Ebrahimi brings nuance and depth to Maryam, a character haunted by her own past and paralyzed by fear for the people she loves.
Shot in stark black-and-white, the cinematography by Todd Martin gives the film a claustrophobic tension that mirrors the characters’ entrapment. The judo scenes are tightly choreographed, and the hand-held camera work keeps the energy raw and immediate. Editor Yuval Orr keeps the pace brisk, jumping between bouts, locker-room conversations, and shadowy government intimidation with precision.
Themes: Power, Resistance & Women’s Agency
At its core, Tatami is about female resistance in a patriarchal system. Both Leila and Maryam are strong women forced to make impossible choices, each representing a different generation’s struggle within Iran’s oppressive landscape. The film tackles state control, nationalism, and gender politics, all while delivering the emotional punch of a high-stakes sports drama.
It’s a movie where every match is not just about physical strength, but moral resolve.
Final Verdict: A Must-Watch Political Sports Drama
Tatami is more than just a sports film—it’s a bold cry for freedom and self-determination. It’s a rare fusion of gripping storytelling and real-world relevance, and a film that resonates long after the credits roll.
While some may expect a traditional underdog victory, the film’s ending dares to be different. In Tatami, winning isn’t just about taking the gold—it’s about standing your ground, no matter the cost.
⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5 – Unflinching, timely, and deeply human. A standout film of 2025.
