Venice Bowing ‘Tatami’ From Guy Nattiv and Zar Amir Ebrahimi Lands Global Sales (Exclusive)

Tatami, the groundbreaking Iranian drama co-directed by Oscar-winner Guy Nattiv (Golda, Skin) and Cannes best actress winner Zar Amir Ebrahimi (Shayda, Holy Spider), has landed a number of major international territory deals following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

WestEnd Films has closed sales on the feature — the first to be co-directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker — for Italy (Bim Distribuzione), France (Metropolitan), Portugal (Nos), Benelux (Cineart), Greece (Cinobo), Scandinavia (Mislabel), Spain (Vertigo), Germany and Switzerland (Wild Bunch), and Israel (United King). Discussions are undergoing for North America, the U.K. and all remaining territories. Range are co-repping North America with Westend.

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Based on real-life stories, Tatami follows Iranian female judokas Leila (Arienne Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Ebrahimi), who travel to the Judo World Championship intent on bringing home Iran’s first gold medal. Midway through the competition, they receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose, or she will be branded a traitor of the state. With her own freedom as well as her family’s at stake, she’s faced with an impossible choice: Comply with the Iranian regime as her coach implores her to do, or fight on for the gold.

After receiving a rapturous reception in Venice, Tatami recently screened at the Zurich Film Festival and is set to have its Asian premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival on Oct. 25. It has also been selected by the European Film Academy for this year’s feature film selection.

Tatami is produced by veteran producer Mandy Tagger Brockey (A Late Quartet) and Adi Ezroni (Save Yourselves!), alongside Nattiv and Jaime Ray Newman from New Native Pictures. Other crew include director of photography Todd Martin (best cinematography winner at Tribeca 2021 for The Novice) and editor Yuval Orr (Strangers, Skin).

The film is produced by Keshet Studios and New Native Pictures in association with White Lodge Productions.

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