Tatami – Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art

A political thriller and one of the highlights of this year’s Venice Film Festival, awarded with a special prize.

Leila (Arienne Mandi), an Iranian judo star, has a chance to win the first gold medal for her country at the world championships. Behind her success is coach and former athlete Maryam (Zar Amir Ebrahimi). Among her rivals is a sportswoman from Israel and it may be her that Leila will face in the final competition. Politically, such a confrontation would be unacceptable to the Iranian authorities. Leila must therefore make a choice. Will she bow to pressure from the regime’s delegates, as Maryam begs her to do? Or will she fight alone, not just for the title, but for dignity, honour and personal freedom? Both Leila and Maryam, as well as their families, will face harsh reprisals for disobedience. During the competition, the fate of both women is at stake.