In 'Tatami,' an Iranian judoka faces her most dangerous opponent: an Israeli

In 'Tatami,' an Iranian judoka faces her most dangerous opponent: an Israeli

What were the chances that the New York premiere of “Tatami” — a tense drama about an Iranian judoka forced to choose between her Olympic dreams and her country’s ban on competing against Israelis — would fall on June 13, the very day open war broke out between Israel and Iran? In an ideal world, sports would transcend politics. But in reality, the two are often deeply intertwined. “Tatami” is a gripping, expertly crafted film that explores this…

Arienne Mandi Talks About her Role in 'Tatami' a Judo Drama

‘Tatami‘ slams geopolitics onto the mat in a gripping Iranian-Israeli crossover, where one woman’s fight to compete on the world stage becomes a powerful act of defiance and perseverance. In the searing political thriller ‘Tatami‘, Arienne Mandi (who I happily referred to as Arayeen, meaning Lioness in Farsi) brings raw intensity and quiet courage to the role of Leila, an Iranian judo champion faced with an impossible choice. Ordered by her gove…