Leila (Arienne Mandi) is an Iranian female judoka who has travelled to the Judo World Championship and strongly desires to win the gold medal. If successful, Leila would be responsible for Iran’s first gold medal. Her coach and trainer, Maryam (Zar Amir Ebrahimi), will be by Leila’s side during the championship. As the pair arrive, check-in and enter the ring, it is evident that Leila is off to a great start.
But as Leila progresses in the championship, Maryam receives a distressing phone call from Iran. Through clear orders and threatening suggestions, Maryam is clearly told that Leila must stop participating and leave the competition. With the threat of severe consequences in her mind, Maryam weighs up if Leila could lose a round, get hurt, or even fake a serious injury to protect them and their loved ones. After weighing her options, Maryam eventually discloses the new orders to Leila, putting Leila in a difficult position as she has spent much time preparing for this championship. Now, she must choose between pursuing her dream of winning gold, which would have severe consequences for her and her family, or accepting the orders and walking away from the opportunity.
Tatami is a sports film that incorporates heavy drama and minor aspects of a thriller. The film is loosely based on actual events from 2019 and Saeid Mollaei’s story. It is the first feature film co-directed by an Iranian, Zar Amir Ebrahimi (who also plays the role of Maryam), and an Israeli filmmaker, Guy Nattiv.
Tatami is beautifully shot. Although the decision to film the entire movie in black and white with an aspect ratio of 4:3 seemed odd initially, as the movie progressed, I found this visual choice to be well-suited to the film and its compelling drama. I also enjoyed seeing Leila fight many battles, both in the World Championship rounds and in her mind. Her struggle with whether to continue in the competition or walk away from one of the most significant moments of her life was compelling.
The performances in this film felt realistic and genuine, including the interactions with the principal and side characters. Characters constantly try to bully and persuade Leila and Maryam, while others try to protect them and keep Leila in the Championship. The film’s pacing is well done, and there is a mix of Leila fighting and deep conversations about whether to stay or leave. Overall, I found the film engaging and compelling, although the final act seemed to drag on a bit before reaching its conclusion. The message is clear and leaves a lingering afterthought for those who experience it.
Overall, the film Tatami is a powerful drama with a simple premise that strongly impacted me. The acting and direction are excellent, and the decision to film in black and white with a 4:3 ratio adds to the compelling drama. The storyline is loosely based on actual events and delivers a clear and strong message. While the pacing is mostly on point, the third act drags a bit. Overall, Tatami is a brilliant film that I highly recommend.
8.9/10
22nd October 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
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