Urgent “Tatami” Movie Review: Stream & Download Now

“Tatami” presents a blend of novel and classic elements. In this black-and-white sports drama, the narrative echoes traditional Hollywood thrillers centered around a boxer coerced into throwing a fight. However, in this case, the athlete is an exceptional judoka from Iran’s women’s national judo team, facing pressure from the Iranian government, which forbids athletes from competing against Israelis to uphold its stance against recognizing Israel as a state. This film masterfully revitalizes familiar sports corruption tropes, showcasing the talents of its cast and crew while critiquing governmental exploitation of sports for political agendas.

The film opens with the team aboard a bus en route to Tbilisi, Georgia, where they aim to compete for a gold medal. The lead judoka, Leila (Arienne Mandi), is a fiercely determined and talented athlete whose toughest rival is an Israeli competitor. Back in Tehran, Leila’s supportive husband, Nadeh (Ash Goldeh), and their two children eagerly watch her matches. Leila’s coach and confidante, Maryam (Zar Amir Ebrahimi), is a former judoka whom Leila has long admired. As Leila prepares for her competition in Tbilisi, she is fully committed to proving herself as the best in the world, but circumstances take unexpected turns.

The narrative primarily unfolds in the sport complexes of Tbilisi and Tehran, where the Iranian judo association faces intense pressure from the Supreme Leader’s office to persuade Leila and Maryam to feign an injury to avoid competing against the Israelis. This pressure is conveyed through a series of escalating confrontations, emphasizing the conflict between personal ambition and national political interests.

The film’s title carries layered meanings. Tatami are the mats found in dojos where competitions occur, and the movie explores various battlegrounds. In addition to the physical contest faced by Leila, a larger geopolitical conflict exists where athletes become symbolic combatants in ideological wars. Furthermore, the internal struggles of the characters reflect the yearning for sport to exist free from external pressures, longing for pure competition.

The very existence of “Tatami” challenges the idea that national identities should impede athletes’ pure desires to win. Interestingly, the film’s creators would not be able to compete against one another as athletes: Guy Nattiv, an Israeli, and Zar Amir Ebrahimi, a celebrated French-Iranian actress and filmmaker involved in the project, both embody the complex ties between identity and artistic expression. The film’s script was co-written by Nattiv and French-Iranian actor Elham Erfani, while its production had to take place outside of Iran due to restrictive laws against criticisms of the government.

While “Tatami” may not achieve perfection artistically, its second half tends to rely on repetitive scenes of judo matches interspersed with political struggles, which may feel excessive. Additionally, certain flashbacks to Leila’s family life appear late in the film, potentially disrupting the narrative flow. Nevertheless, the film shines during the depiction of Leila, her coach, and the supporting characters, particularly the on-site International Judo Federation officials who become aware of her predicament.

Despite some minor flaws, “Tatami” captivates with its emotional and dynamic storytelling. The black-and-white cinematography by Todd Martin creates a strong visual connection to classic sports dramas, reminiscent of the “boxing noir” genre with its dramatic shadows and perspectives. Films like “The Set-Up,” “Body and Soul,” and “Raging Bull” resonate with this aesthetic while exploring deeper themes of morality and identity. It’s intriguing to see such a narrative, which intricately unfolds within a male-dominated sports landscape, focus on the challenges faced by female athletes against a backdrop of societal pressures.

This narrative approach is uncommon in cinema, yet it’s one that deserves more attention for its profound intellectual and emotional insights that emerge when creative minds align with shared values and expertise, exemplified by Leila’s prowess in judo.

The scope of the sports narrative resonates universally, as “Tatami” speaks to the human experience even for those who haven’t participated in athletic competition. The true clash lies in the battle between the individual and the state, which presents a fundamentally uneven struggle.