News Center- On Wednesday, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, an Iranian-French actress, producer and director, won the Best Actress Prize at the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) for her performance in Tatami, a 2023 film directed by Guy Nattiv and Zar Amir Ebrahimi. The film also won the jury award at the festival.

The film tells the story of Iranian female judoka Leila (Arienne Mandi) and her coach Maryam (Zar Amir Ebrahimi), who travel to the Judo World Championship, intent on bringing home Iran’s first gold medal. Midway through the competition, they receive an ultimatum from the Islamic Republic ordering Leila to fake an injury and lose. With her own and her family’s freedom at stake, Leila is faced with an impossible choice: feign injury and comply with the Iranian regime as Maryam implores her to do, or defy them both and fight on, for the gold.

The film had its world premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2023.