Cooperation between Israel and Iran these days sounds far-fetched, yet one such will be launched soon.
This will happen in the film "Judo" (tentative title), a political thriller that will follow an Iranian judoka and her coach, who face life-changing decisions during the World Judo Championships.
The film was directed by the Israeli Oscar-winning director Guy Nativ ("Skin", "Golda") and the Iranian actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi ("Holy Spider", "Tehran Taboo"), who also stars in the film - alongside the actresses Ariane Mendi ("There are girls") , Jamie Ray Newman (Nativ's wife), Nadine Marshall and the Iranian actor Mehdi Bejastani.
The screenplay was written by the Iranian filmmaker Alem Arfani.
This is the first film ever directed by an Israeli and an Iranian, and it is about a judoka Leila and her coach Miriam, who travel to the World Judo Championships, intending to return home with Iran's first gold medal.
During the competition, they receive an order from the Iranian regime - to fake an injury and lose.
With her and her family's freedom at stake, Layla is faced with an impossible choice - obey the regime or fight for the gold.
Guy Nativ
"Giving life to this important story", photo: Theo&Juliet
The international distribution rights for the film, which was produced by Keshet Studios - the studios of Keshet International in Los Angeles - were purchased by the WestEnd Films company, which will launch it at the Berlin Film Festival.
"His story could not be more relevant, against the background of the current political and social context in Iran. We believe that this film will resonate with audiences around the world," said Maya Amsalem of WestEnd Films, and according to Mandy Tager of Meshet Studios: "We want to bring stories with meaning , which deal with important issues - and which have the potential to bring about positive change."
Zar Amir Ebrahimi.
"Too many Iranians have lost the opportunities of their lives,"
"It is a huge honor to collaborate with these true creative forces of nature - Zar, Arian and Alem - and bring this important story to life. For all of us this is much more than a film, it is a creative statement to the world at a time when so many innocent Iranian citizens are paying for freedom with their lives." said Nativ.
According to Zar Amir Ebrahimi, "the story of this film is the story of too many Iranian athletes who lost the opportunities of their lives, and sometimes had to leave their country and their loved ones due to the conflict between the systems and governments. This artistic and cinematic collaboration with Guy is a tribute to them."
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