Breaking Barriers: Israeli-Iranian Film Collaboration Tells Story of Judoka’s Struggle for Freedom

“It is a huge honor to collaborate with these creative forces and bring this important story to life.”

By Israel Today Staff | | Topics: Iran
A pre-revolution Iranian flag is joined to an Israeli flag at a demonstration of unity.
A pre-revolution Iranian flag is joined to an Israeli flag at a demonstration of unity. Photo: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90

The first-ever Israeli-Iranian film collaboration is underway, a political thriller following the journey of an Iranian judoka and her coach. The film is directed by Israeli Oscar winner Guy Nattiv, whose new film “Golda” with actress Helen Mirren about late-Prime Minister Golda Meir premiers this year at the Berlin International Film Festival. Iranian actress Zahra Amir Ebrahimi stars in the new collaboration and the screenplay was written by Iranian filmmaker Elham Erfani.

During the World Judo Championships, the protagonist, Layla, receives an order from the Iranian regime to fake an injury and lose. With her freedom and that of her family at stake, she must make an impossible choice between obeying the regime or fighting for the gold medal.

This film is more than just a movie; it is a creative statement to the world, highlighting the struggles faced by Iranian citizens in their pursuit of freedom. The story resonates with the current political and social context in Iran and has the potential to bring about positive change. The film is produced by Israel’s Keshet Studios and will be launched at the Berlin Film Festival.

Nattiv stated: “It is a huge honor to collaborate with these creative forces 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.”

According to Ebrahimi: “The story of this film is the story of too many Iranian athletes who lost opportunities in their lives, and sometimes had to leave their country and their loved ones due to the conflict between the systems and government. This artistic and cinematic collaboration with [Israeli director] Guy is a tribute to tribute to the many Iranian athletes who have lost opportunities due to conflicts between systems and governments, and sometimes have to leave their country and loved ones.”

The new film seems to be a nod at the story of Iranian-born judoka Saeid Mollaei, who famously exposed the ayatollahs’ orders for him to intentionally lose at the 2019 World Judo Championships in Tokyo so as to avoid facing Israeli Sagi Muki, with whom Mollaei now has a close friendship.

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