Metrograph

Amir’s feature directorial debut, made in collaboration with Guy Nattiv—the first feature film co-directed by an Iranian and an Israeli filmmaker—is a potent mixture of political thriller and old-fashioned never-say-die sports drama (in black and white, no less) that centers on Leila (Arienne Mandi), a gifted female judoka with her heart set on bringing a gold medal back to Iran from the World Judo Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia… that is, until the Iranian Republic starts pressuring her to either feign injury and withdraw from the tournament or place her family’s freedom at risk, an ultimatum that drives a wedge between the defiant Leila and her coach, Maryam, played by Amir herself. Screening with Khat, Amir’s first short, produced under the auspices of the Iranian Youth Cinema Society when its director was only 18.

Q&A with Zar moderated by filmmaker Charlotte Wells on Sunday, September 28th