‘Tatami’: How a Gritty Judo Drama Became a Rare Bridge Between Iran and Israel

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief, Archysport

In a year when geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated into open conflict, a quiet cinematic collaboration has emerged as an unlikely symbol of shared humanity. Tatami, a 2023 sports thriller directed by Iranian actress-turned-filmmaker Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Israeli director Guy Nattiv, uses the high-stakes world of competitive judo to explore themes of survival, freedom, and the unifying power of sport. The film—shot in Georgia and blending Persian, Hebrew, and English—has earned praise for its raw performances and tense narrative, but its real story lies behind the camera: a rare creative partnership between artists from two nations officially at war.

The Film: A Judo Mat as a Battleground

Tatami follows Leila, a rising Iranian judoka (played by Ebrahimi herself), as she competes in a high-profile international tournament. When her victory on the mat triggers a political firestorm, she’s forced to choose between her dreams and the demands of her country’s regime. The film’s title refers to the traditional judo mat, a space where discipline and honor are paramount—but where personal and political conflicts often collide.

Critics have noted the film’s authentic judo choreography, with fight scenes designed in collaboration with former Olympic judoka to ensure realism. The official IMDb page for Tatami lists its runtime at 115 minutes, with a Dubbedin 7.6/10 rating on Douban (China’s equivalent of IMDb) and a 78% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes as of April 2026. The film premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it was described by The Hollywood Reporter as “a gripping underdog story with geopolitical teeth.”

The Directors: A Collaboration Born of Defiance

The partnership between Ebrahimi and Nattiv is as remarkable as the film itself. Ebrahimi, born in Tehran in 1981, rose to fame in Iran as an actress before a 2006 scandal involving leaked private videos forced her into exile. She rebuilt her career in Europe, winning the Best Actress award at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival for her role in Holy Spider, a crime thriller set in Iran. Nattiv, meanwhile, is an Oscar-winning Israeli director known for Skin (2018), a short film about a neo-Nazi’s redemption that won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short.

In interviews, both directors have emphasized that Tatami was never intended as a political statement—but its highly existence has become one. “We didn’t set out to build a film about Iran and Israel,” Nattiv told Variety in 2023. “We set out to make a film about an athlete trapped by forces beyond her control. The fact that we’re from two countries that don’t talk to each other just made the story more urgent.”

Ebrahimi, who too co-wrote the screenplay, added: “Judo is about respect. You bow to your opponent before and after a match. That’s the spirit we tried to bring to this film.”

Behind the Scenes: Filming in Georgia Amid Tensions

The production of Tatami faced logistical hurdles from the start. With Iranian and Israeli crews unable to work together in either country, the filmmakers chose Tbilisi, Georgia, as a neutral location. Even there, the project wasn’t immune to geopolitical pressures. In a 2023 interview with Screen Daily, producer Elham Erfanian revealed that the team received warnings from both Iranian and Israeli officials about the collaboration. “We were told, ‘This is not the time for such a film,’” Erfanian said. “But we believed it was exactly the right time.”

The film’s cast includes Arian Mandi, an Iranian-German actor, as Leila’s coach, and Niv Sultan, an Israeli actress, as her rival. The on-screen chemistry between the two leads was widely praised, with The Guardian calling their final match “one of the most electrifying fight scenes in recent sports cinema.”

Critical Reception: A Sports Film with Bite

Although Tatami is first and foremost a sports drama, its political undertones have dominated discussions. IndieWire described it as “a judo movie for people who don’t like judo,” praising its ability to use the sport as a metaphor for larger struggles. RogerEbert.com gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, writing: “Ebrahimi and Nattiv have crafted a thriller that’s as much about the weight of a nation’s expectations as This proves about the weight of a gold medal.”

However, not all reviews were glowing. Some critics argued that the film’s political messaging occasionally overshadowed its character development. The New York Times noted: “Tatami is at its best when it focuses on the physical and emotional toll of competition. Its broader themes, while compelling, sometimes perceive like they belong in a different movie.”

Why This Film Matters Now

The release of Tatami in late 2023 coincided with a period of heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, making its collaborative origins all the more striking. In February 2026, those tensions erupted into direct military conflict, with the U.S. And Israel launching a joint operation targeting Iranian military sites. Against this backdrop, the film’s message of shared humanity has taken on new resonance.

For sports fans, Tatami offers a rare glimpse into the world of competitive judo, a sport often overshadowed by more mainstream disciplines like soccer or basketball. The film’s attention to detail—from the IJF (International Judo Federation) rules governing matches to the psychological toll of elite competition—has earned it a cult following among martial arts enthusiasts. As one Reddit user wrote in a thread about the film: “This isn’t just a movie about judo. It’s a movie about what judo represents: discipline, respect, and the fight for something bigger than yourself.”

Where to Watch and What’s Next

As of April 2026, Tatami is available for streaming on MUBI in select regions and can be rented or purchased on platforms like Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video. The film’s official website (tatamifilm.com) includes a list of upcoming screenings at film festivals and independent theaters.

For Ebrahimi and Nattiv, the future remains uncertain. Both have hinted at new projects, though neither has confirmed whether they’ll collaborate again. In a recent interview with Deadline, Nattiv said: “Right now, the world feels like it’s on fire. But if People can tell stories that remind people of our shared humanity, maybe we can help put out some of those flames.”

Key Takeaways

• A rare collaboration: Tatami is co-directed by Iranian actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Israeli filmmaker Guy Nattiv, a partnership made more remarkable by the 2026 conflict between their countries.
• Authentic judo: The film’s fight scenes were choreographed with input from former Olympic judoka, earning praise for their realism.
• Critical acclaim: The movie holds a 78% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.6/10 on Douban, with particular praise for its tense narrative and performances.
• Political undertones: While not overtly political, the film’s themes of freedom and defiance have resonated in the context of Iran-Israel tensions.
• Streaming availability: Tatami is available on MUBI, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video in select regions.

Final Thoughts: Sport as a Universal Language

At its core, Tatami is a reminder that sport has the power to transcend borders—even those drawn by war. In a year when the world feels increasingly divided, the film’s message is simple but profound: on the tatami, as in life, the rules are the same for everyone. The question is whether we choose to play by them.

What’s your capture on Tatami? Does sport have the power to bridge divides, or is this film an exception to the rule? Share your thoughts in the comments below.