The highly anticipated film “TATAMI,” which won two prestigious awards at the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival—including the Jury Special Award and the Best Actress Award—is set to release nationwide on February 28, 2025. The film will be shown at Shinjuku Piccadilly and other major theaters across the country.

Directed by Guy Nattiv, an Israeli native who won the 91st Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for “SKIN” (2018), and co-directed by Zara Amir, who won the Best Actress Award at the 75th Cannes Film Festival, “TATAMI” is a groundbreaking social drama based on a true story. The film delves into the complex political landscape of the Middle East, the oppression of women in Iranian society, and the indomitable spirit of athletes fighting for their dignity.

Do you submit to the government or fight for freedom and dignity? Political sports entertainment depicting the biggest “decision” of your life!

The Women’s World Judo Championship is taking place in Tbilisi, Georgia. Iranian national team member Leila Hosseini and her manager, Maryam Gambari, are on a winning streak, but as they approach the gold medal, they are ordered by the government to abstain from competing against Israel. Facing the threat of harm to themselves and their families, they must decide whether to comply with the government’s orders or continue fighting for their freedom and dignity. This film is based on an actual incident that occurred at the 2019 World Judo Championships in Tokyo.

Zara Amir, who also serves as the film’s director, actress, and casting director, gained popularity with the TV series “Nargess” (2006-2007). However, she faced a third-party scandal and escaped from Iran to France in 2008. In 2018, she starred in “A Spider Web in the Holy Land,” directed by Ali Abbasi, which was screened at over 49 film festivals worldwide and won the Best Actress Award at the 75th Cannes Film Festival. In “TATAMI,” she plays the role of director Maryam Gambari and also serves as co-director and casting director. She was selected as one of the BBC’s “100 Women” in 2022 and is recognized as one of the most influential women in the world.

Guy Nattiv, who was impressed by Zara Amir’s performance in “A Spider Web in the Holy Land,” invited her to co-direct the film. Zara, initially cast as Maryam Gambari, brought her extensive knowledge and experience to the production team as a casting and associate producer. Her dedication and expertise led to her being asked to co-direct the film. Nattiv said, “Zahra was an immeasurable force like the power of nature. I wanted her to play the director, Maruyam, soon, but as we got to know each other, our partnership was I became convinced that it would be more than that. Her excellent sense, attention to detail and fierce attitude towards work quickly stood out. I was able to tell the story of Iran. I wanted to work with an Iranian film director, and I knew Zahra was considering making a directorial debut. She had ambitions. Also, Zahra and I had absolutely no preference for film. It was the same. I liked more European and boundary-pushing pieces, so the process was very natural. We hit it off quickly and we’ve been working together for years on the first day shoot. I felt like a partner.”

Zara Amir reflected on the filmmaking process, stating, “It’s not easy to find a balance between a cinematic vision and a more universal expression that everyone can relate to, but Guy, co-writer Elham, and his judo player friends. With the help of her, she was able to create a character for Maruyam. It is a personal act of depicting Maruyam’s relationship with Leila and how she fits into the system she suffers. It was also an approach and an adventure,” she said, adding that the film that all the staff and cast created was TATAMI.

The first scene photo released features Zara Amir as Maryam Gambari, staring at the venue from the door with an uneasy expression. The second photo shows Maryam watching the match through a round window as Leila (Arienne Mandy) continues her lonely battle.

Why isn’t Maruyam by the side of the players? The reason for this is that Iran’s Judo Association president Taheli ordered him to “abstain” in order to avoid a match against Israel. Still, Leila decides to fight, and manager Maruyam, who can only watch over him, what choice will he make after this… This photo shows a situation where expectations will rise for what will happen next.

Celebrities have shared their thoughts on the film. Furuta Hideki, editor-in-chief of judo-specialized media eJudo, said, “I am moved by the courage of Leila, who continues to fight against oppression. Her close-up portrayal of the competition is excellent. It is convincing and beautiful. Respect for the play and competition. It’s a happy balance between the two,” he praised both the psychological depictions and the match scene. Film critic Machiyama Tomohiro said, “The more she wins at the World Judo Championships, the more important family members are cornered by the government. Even so, Leila bets everything on the tatami. She is the true gladiator!” He praised “TATAMI” citing his major work. Actor and talent Nagano Juria said, “I was moved by Leila’s conflict and strength, and I was able to give me courage,” while film and music personality Okuhama Leila said, “The protagonist should stand up to The film changes from its opponent to a huge power that does not appear. It is glued to the unstoppable development. This film is the first joint production of an actor who has fled from Iran and an Israeli-born director. From the facts, we can receive this fortitude from this fortunate spirit that has been put in front of us, so it’s so great,” he commented, expressing his desire for peace.

Following the first day of the show, Friday, February 28th, at Shinjuku Piccadilly, a talk event has been decided to invite judo artist Abe Poetry, who won the 2025 Judo Grand Slam Baku tournament, after the 1:30pm screening at Shinjuku Piccadilly. Tickets for this event, which talks about TATAMI from a judo artist’s perspective, are now on sale. For more information, please see the official theater website.

Do you submit to the government or fight for freedom and dignity? A must-see political sports entertainment that depicts the biggest “decision” of your life
“TATAMI” will be released nationwide from Friday, February 28th, 2025 at Shinjuku Piccadilly and other theaters!

Full Opinion and Comments

Malai Menthlein (German Public Broadcasting Producer)
wonderful. This is a masterpiece!! It is an incredible film that depicts the depth of sports from a completely different angle from Japanese so-called sports dramas, or rather, depicts the survival of the mind and body through martial arts.

Machiyama Tomohiro (film critic)
The more you win at the World Judo Championships, the more important families are cornered by the government.
Still, Leila bets everything on the tatami. She is the true gladiator!

Furuta Hideki (Editor-in-Chief of the Judo Specialist Media “eJudo”)
The model is based on the “incident” that occurred right in front of our eyes at the 2019 Tokyo World Championships. I am moved by Leila’s courage to fight against oppression.
The depiction of the competition from a close perspective is excellent. It’s convincing and beautiful. It’s a happy balance between writing and respect for the sport.

Okuhama Leila (Film/Music Personality)
The protagonist’s opponent changes from his opponent to a huge power that he cannot see. I was glued to the unstoppable development. This is the first film to be produced by an actor who has fled from Iran and an Israeli-born director. From the facts, we receive this indomitable spirit that has been brought to the film before our eyes, so much is what we receive.

Nagano Juria (Actor and Talent)
The scenes in the match were tense and the realism was incredibly realistic.
I was moved by the sight of him fighting alone on the tatami.
I was moved by Leila’s conflict and strength in her core, and I was able to give me courage too.

Tokuda Naohiro (Tatamiya rapper)
Return to the tatami! Live desperately!
The sport originating in Japan has spread throughout the world, and even its spirituality has spread.
Why do they live for, why do they challenge the match, and why do they stick to their feelings?
I was touched by the conflict that unfolded on the tatami mats. The struggle of those who challenge themselves continues to this day.
No matter what the situation, I want to be someone who pushes me.

Tsuji Aisako (Arca Co., Ltd. CEO / Creative Director)
When faced with the major barriers of organization and state, individuals’ will, thoughts, and resistance seem to be very small and weak. Still, the story of a woman who stands up against unreasonableness and injustice with will, and I was touched by her husband’s words that continue to push her back, saying, “You are my hero.” I hope that all people can live a free life that is their own way.

Public Notation

Distributed by: Mimosa Films
Released nationwide from Friday, February 28th, 2025 at Shinjuku Piccadilly and other locations

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