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In a strikingly audacious world premiere, the 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival unrolled the red carpet for Tatami, a cinematic endeavor born from the unprecedented collaboration between Iranian and Israeli filmmakers.

Screened in the parallel section of the Mostra, “Horizons,” the film dramatizes both the internal and external conflicts faced by Leila, an Iranian judoka, and her coach Maryam. Both find themselves at the heart of a political quandary when they are commanded to withdraw from a tournament in Georgia to avoid a showdown with an Israeli athlete.

A Quiet Revolution in Cinema

Co-directed by Zar Amir and Guy Nattif, Tatami transcends the confines of the screen to leave an indelible social and political mark. Zar Amir, who also portrays Maryam in the film, is a Tehran native exiled in France. She notes that although the film inevitably carries a political dimension, its primary mission remains artistic. Free to explore sensitive topics, she feels a “responsibility to tell” these stories, especially in a context where filmmakers in Iran, such as Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof, have been persecuted for attempting to do the same.

A Mirror of Tensions and Aspirations

Nattif, a renowned Israeli director, alludes to a “kind of ongoing revolution” in both Israel and Iran. He draws a parallel between the two nations, underscoring a similarity in their sociopolitical processes of change. Zar Amir shares a particular sense of hope concerning women’s rights in Iran, catalyzed by social movements like the one ignited by the tragic death of young Mahsa Amini in 2022.

The Resonance of a Cultural Revolution

The film, slated for release in 2024, has already garnered substantial international interest and has been sold in several European countries. Nattif observes that Tatami has already made significant waves in Israel, not for reasons of controversy but because “people see this collaboration as something revolutionary.” Zar Amir shares this optimism and hopes that their work “will pave the way for further collaborations between Israelis and Iranians” in various artistic and cultural domains.

“Tatami’s” appearance at the Mostra is not merely a triumph for cinema but also a poignant demonstration of the seventh art’s power to transcend borders, differences, and ideologies.

With AFP