But also one they couldnt shy away from.
(This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.)
DEADLINE: How did you come guys come together?
VENICE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 02: Directors Zar Amir and Guy Nattiv attend a photocall for the movie “Tatami” at the 80th Venice International Film FestivalGetty
I think that was the main reason, Guy?
GUY NATTIV:Also, your audition was amazing, but when I watchedHoly Spider,my jaw dropped.
Zar was just phenomenal and amazing, also Im a big fan of Ali Abbasi.
Then I contacted Zar and offered her the role.
Because Im Israeli, Im not Iranian, I didnt want to tell this story alone.
I wrote the script with Elham Erfani, who is also Iranian and living in France.
So I read about these stories that really inspired me a lot.
Its kind of crazy, but judo is the number one sport in Iran and in Israel.
So, its not like its all squeaky clean.
It was a challenge for both of us, more for Zar, but for me as well.
I had to make it look like Im not meeting with the Iranian regime, Im meeting with expatriates.
Its risky for any Iranian outside or inside.
This is exactly what the Iranian government does to all these athletes…
The real danger is to go through your whole life and all events with hatred.
This revolution is about changing the mentality.
At some point, everything got mixed up, we talked about everything.
We can be friends, we can be sister and brother, we really are very close… NATTIV:I want to give a kind of shoutout to Zar.
There wasnt any ego, it was pure art.
Her approach to actors is so sensitive.
Its just what the politicians dont want us to have.
I feel I let Guy more or less direct me.
NATTIV:I think I was also Zars perspective in a way.
