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‘Tatami,’ First Feature Film Co-Directed by Israeli, Iranian Filmmakers, to Be Released Nationwide This Summer
A promotional photo for “Tatami.” Photo: XYZ Films.
A political sports thriller that is the first-ever feature film co-directed by Israeli and Iranian filmmakers will be released in select theaters nationwide on June 13 from XYZ Films.
“Tatami” was co-directed by Iranian and French Cannes Best Actress winner Zar Amir-Ebrahimi – who also stars in the film – alongside Israeli Academy Award winner Guy Nattiv, whose past credits include “Golda,” starring Helen Mirren, and the Oscar-winning short “Skin.” Native co-wrote the script of “Tatami” with Paris-based Iranian actress and screenwriter Elham Erfani, who was also the film’s casting director. Ebrahimi traveled to Israel for her first time ever to edit “Tatami.”
Iran and Israel have no diplomatic relations, and the Iranian regime does not recognize the Jewish state. The Islamic Republic supports terrorist operations against the state of Israel and is the chief international backer of Hamas, the US-designated terrorist organization that orchestrated the massacre across southern Israel that took place on Oct. 7, 2023. Iranian military commanders and even diplomats have recently praised the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
Iran also has a long-standing policy of not allowing its athletes to compete against opponents from Israel dating back to 1979, when the Islamist regime seized power. Iranian athletes are often pressured by their coaches and the country’s sports federations to either pull out of matches or intentionally lose to avoid competing against an opponent from Israel. “Tatami,” which is about an Iranian judo athlete, is inspired by true events and references Iran’s ban on its athletes competing against Israelis.
In “Tatami,” an Iranian judoka named Leila – played by American Iranian-Chilean actress Arienne Mandi from “The L Word” – is on the verge of winning gold at the judo world championships when she is ordered to withdraw to avoid facing an Israeli opponent in the finals. She is told by the Islamic Republic that she must fake an injury and pull out of the competition, or face being labeled a traitor by her home country for competing against an Israeli athlete. Leila must decide if she will cave to the pressure or continue competing for the gold medal. Amir-Ebrahimi plays Leila’s coach, and the film also stars Jaime Ray Newman and Ash Goldeh. Tatami is a type of mat used during judo bouts.
“Facing a life-or-death decision, she risks everything, putting the lives of her, her coach, and her family in danger,” stated a synopsis of the film provided by XYZ Films. “The film captures the raw intensity of elite competition, the sacrifices athletes make, and the brutal reality of political interference in sports … This film is more than a thriller — it’s a gripping look at the struggles athletes face beyond the mat. It speaks to themes of perseverance, integrity, and the power of sport as a force for change.”
“Tatami” was produced by Israel’s Keshet Studios and premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2023. It has earned multiple awards, including Best Actress for Amir-Ebrahimi and a Special Jury Prize at the Tokyo Film Festival, and Best Film at the Munich Film Festival.
Amir-Ebrahimi won Best Actress at Cannes in 2022 for her role in “Holy Spider.” That same year, she was included on BBC’s list of 100 inspiring and influential women because of her advocacy for women’s rights. The actress and director was forced to flee Iran in 2008 after being targeted by the regime, and is now a French citizen living in Paris, where she runs her production company, Alambic Production.
Ebrahimi and Nattiv said in 2023 that the storyline of “Tatami” also reflects the real-life struggles of women living in Iran. The film premiered amid freedom protests about a mandatory hijab enforcement in the Islamic Republic and one year after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was killed after allegedly being beaten by Iranian police when she was arrested for not wearing a hijab.
The post ‘Tatami,’ First Feature Film Co-Directed by Israeli, Iranian Filmmakers, to Be Released Nationwide This Summer first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Washington Warns UK, France Against Recognizing Palestinian Statehood
Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy leaves Downing Street, following the results of the election, in London, Britain, July 5, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Toby Melville
i24 News – The United States has warned the UK and France not to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state at a UN conference scheduled for June 17 in New York, the Middle East Eye reported Tuesday.
France and Saudi Arabia will co-host this conference on the two-state solution, with Paris reportedly preparing to unilaterally recognize Palestine. France is also pressuring London to follow this path, according to sources from the British Foreign Office.
French media reports indicate that French authorities believe they have the agreement of the British government. Meanwhile, Arab states are encouraging this move, measuring the success of the conference by the recognitions obtained.
This initiative deeply divides Western allies. If France and the UK were to carry out this recognition, they would become the first G7 nations to take this step, causing a “political earthquake” according to observers, given their historical ties with Israel. The Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer threatened last week to annex parts of the West Bank if this recognition took place, according to a report in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
In the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretary David Lammy publicly opposes unilateral recognition, stating that London would only recognize a Palestinian state when we know that it is going to happen and that it is in view.
However, pressure is mounting within the Labour Party. MP Uma Kumaran, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said that the government was elected on a platform that promised to recognize Palestine as a step towards a just and lasting peace. Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, believes that there is no legitimate reason for the United States to interfere in a sovereign decision of recognition, while highlighting the unpredictability of US President Donald Trump on this issue.
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Police, Shin Bet Thwart Suspected Iranian Attempt Perpetrate Terror Attack
A small number of Jewish worshipers pray during the priestly blessing, a traditional prayer which usually attracts thousands of worshipers at the Western Wall on the holiday of Passover during 2020, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Jerusalem’s Old City, April 12, 2020. Photo: Reuters / Ronen Zvulun.
i24 News – The Shin Bet security agency and Israel Police thwarted another Iranian attempt to recruit Israelis, according to a statement on Tuesday, arresting a resident of East Jerusalem for allegedly carrying out missions for the Islamic Republic.
Iranian agents recruited the suspect, who in turn recruited members of his family. He is a resident of the Isawiya neighborhood in his 30s, and is accused of maintaining contact with a hostile foreign entity to harm the state by carrying out a terrorist attack against Jews.
The suspect had already begun perpetrating acts of sabotage and espionage, including collecting intelligence about areas in Jerusalem, including the Western Wall and Mahane Yehuda Market. He also hung signs, burned Israeli army uniforms, and more in exchange for payment totaling thousands of shekels.
He was also charged with planning a terror attack in central Israel, including setting fire to a forest, and was told to transfer weapons to terrorist elements in the West Bank.
The suspect’s sought the help of family members, including his mother. A search at his home revealed sums of cash, a spray can used in some of his activities, airsoft guns, suspected illegal drugs, and more.
His indictment is expected to be filed by the Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office.
The statement said that the case is yet another example of Iranian efforts to recruit Israelis. “We will continue to coordinate efforts to thwart terrorism and terrorist elements, including those operating outside Israel, while attempting to mobilize local elements in order to protect the citizens of the State of Israel,” the Shin Bet and Police said.
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Pro-Russian, Anti-Israeli Hackers Pose Biggest Cybercrime Threats in Germany
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt holds a chart showing the development of antisemitic crime, during a press conference on Figures for Politically Motivated Crime in the Country, in Berlin, Germany, May 20, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
Cybercrime in Germany rose to a record level last year, driven by hacker attacks from pro-Russian and anti-Israeli groups, the BKA Federal Crime Office reported on Tuesday as the government said it would boost countermeasures to combat it.
“Cybercrime is an increasing threat to our security,” said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. “It is getting more aggressive but our counter-strategies are also becoming more professional,” he said.
Some 131,391 cases of cybercrime took place in Germany last year and a further 201,877 cases were committed from abroad or an unknown location, a BKA report said.
The actors behind the hacker attacks on German targets were primarily either pro-Russian or anti-Israeli, said the BKA, adding targets were mostly public and federal institutions.
Ransomware, when criminals copy and encrypt data, is one of the main threats, said the BKA, with 950 companies and institutes reporting cases in 2024.
German digital association Bitkom said damage caused by cyberattacks here totaled 178.6 billion euros ($203.87 billion) last year, some 30.4 billion euros more than in the previous year.
Dobrindt said the government planned to extend the legal capabilities authorities could use to combat cybercrime and set higher security standards for companies.
The post Pro-Russian, Anti-Israeli Hackers Pose Biggest Cybercrime Threats in Germany first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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