The film 'Tatami', co-directed by renowned Iranian actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Israeli filmmaker Guy Nattiv, has made it to the preliminary list for the European Film Academy Awards. These awards are given annually to outstanding filmmakers and cinematic works and are known as the European Oscars. According to 'Times of Israel', 'Tatami', which depicts the story of an Iranian female athlete, has reached the list of 40 films that will be shortlisted for nominations after final screening. Additionally, the film 'The Missing Soldier' by another Israeli filmmaker, Danny Rosenberg, has also reached this stage. This film is about an Israeli soldier who visits his girlfriend in Tel Aviv and learns that the army believes he has been kidnapped during battle. The nominees for the European Film Academy Awards will be announced on November 7 (16 Mehr). The Academy will present the awards on December 9 (18 Azar) in Berlin to the selected individuals and works. 'Tatami' has had a successful presence in international film festivals, including Venice, in recent months and will be screened at the Tokyo Film Festival this month. This is the first time that Iranian and Israeli artists have collaborated as directors on a feature film project. They wrote the screenplay with mystical inspiration. The story revolves around an Iranian female judoka named Leila, played by Aryan Mandi, who, along with her coach Maryam, portrayed by Zar Amir Ebrahimi, heads to the World Championships. Leila, considered a strong contender for the gold medal, receives an order from Tehran not to compete against her Israeli rival. This athlete must falsely inform the officials of the World Federation that she is injured to avoid facing the Israeli champion; a decision that could change the course of her life. 'Tatami' is inspired by the real-life experiences of Iranian athletes who, due to the Islamic Republic's anti-Israeli policies, have been forced to withdraw from competing against Israeli athletes over the decades. Among the cast are Jamie Ray Newman, Nadine Marshall, and Mehdi Bejestani. 'Tatami' was filmed last fall in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, which is very close to Iran. The production of this cinematic project was conducted secretly due to security concerns, and the producers did not provide any information to the media.
The Film 'Tatami' by Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv on the Preliminary List for European Film Academy Awards
The film 'Tatami', co-directed by Iranian actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Israeli filmmaker Guy Nattiv, has made it to the preliminary list for the European Film Academy Awards, highlighting the collaboration between Iranian and Israeli artists. The film tells the story of an Iranian judoka who faces a moral dilemma due to political pressures not to compete against an Israeli rival. This collaboration is significant as it represents a rare intersection of Iranian and Israeli cinema amidst ongoing political tensions.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The film 'Tatami', co-directed by Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv, has been included in the preliminary list for the European Film Academy Awards, showcasing a significant collaboration between Iranian and Israeli filmmakers. The film tells the story of an Iranian judoka facing a moral dilemma due to political pressures regarding competition against an Israeli rival.
- The film has been successful in international film festivals, including Venice.
- It is inspired by real-life experiences of Iranian athletes who have been forced to withdraw from competitions against Israeli opponents.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The film industry in Iran often faces censorship and restrictions, particularly regarding topics related to Israel. 'Tatami' represents a significant artistic endeavor that confronts these issues head-on.
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