Parents' Guide to Tatami

This tense thriller/drama shows how the world of sports often intersects with the world of politics, leaving people on both sides of a conflict in danger. Tatami dives into Iran's boycott of Israel, which includes Iranian athletes—and other athletes from Muslim-majority countries—not taking part in competitions that could have them facing an Israeli opponent. In Iran's case, the government sometimes compels its athletes to sit out competitions altogether. Such is the case for Leila, who wants to bring home Iran's first judo championship, but the country's government wants her to feign an injury and bow out.

You don't have to be an international scholar to understand that Tatami is showing how the people caught in the crosshairs of political conflicts are just like anyone else: wanting the best for their homeland (and themselves) and trying to make the best of an untenable situation. The film makes a point of showing Leila and her Israeli opponent, Shani, interacting positively with each other, signaling to viewers that the people living in a country don't always reflect their leaders' politics. This idea continues even behind the scenes of the movie, with co-directors Guy Nattiv, who's Israeli, and Amir Ebrahimi, an Iranian who currently lives in exile in France, working together—the first time that an Iranian-Israeli filmmaking duo have served as co-directors. Ultimately, Tatami teaches lessons of bravery, courage, and perseverance, even in situations that may feel insurmountable.