It has long been clear that this is material for a film, but now it is official. American film giant MGM and Tadmor Entertainment today (Monday) acquired the rights to the life story of world judo world champions Said Said Moulay and Israeli Sagi Muki, with the aim of producing a feature series and documentary based on the lives of judokas – who will arrive in Hollywood.
The project is done in collaboration with Moulay and Muki, as well as with the World Judo Association headed by Chairman Marius Wieser. The series will reveal unprecedented exclusive footage and interviews with the two judokas at the pinnacle of their careers, including the dramatic moments in which Said Moulay was forced to flee to Germany in 2019, during the World Judo Championships in Tokyo.
The Israeli company Tadmor Entertainment and MGM Studios signed a cooperation agreement about a year ago to invest in the content development of Israeli creators for television, film and new media works for the international market. This is the first time that MGM has invested in Israel and this project is the second product of the partnership between the companies, which will produce a feature series of about six episodes and a documentary whose filming has already begun.
The feature series and documentary will bring to the screen the cross-border story of Iranian judoka Said Moulay, one of the bravest athletes in history, who despite threats to him and his family, refused to submit to the regime’s demand that he ban his friend Guy Muki from Israel at the Tokyo World Championships about a year and a half ago. As a result, Moulay was forced to flee his country and live as a refugee in Germany. Only recently, as I recall, Moulay came to compete in the Tel Aviv Grand Slam and won the silver medal in the competition.
MGM President: They are inspiring and groundbreaking
Said Moulay, The Iranian judoka who now represents Mongolia after defecting from his homeland to a refuge in Germany, said: “It is a great honor for me to be a partner in this project. This is a great opportunity to show that judo and sports are an amazing way to break down barriers. Through the circumstances Sagi became my friend and many other people around the world. I am an athlete and now I am also a free person. “
World champion in weightlifting up to 81 kg, Sagi Muki, Noted: “It is a privilege for me to take part in this extraordinary project with my dear friend Said. We want to convey the message that sport is out of politics and that we are all one family. When Said and I meet, the first victory will be the friendship between us. I truly believe that with the help of this project, the second victory will be the understanding between our peoples. “
President of MGM / UA Television, Steve Stark, Told about the choice of two: “Sagi Muki and Said Moulay are two inspiring and groundbreaking athletes. The story of the rivalry and the impossible friendship between them, breaks out beyond the world of judo and goes on to conquer the hearts of spectators all over the world. We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with our dear friends at Tadmor Entertainment and the World Judo Association and share their exciting and revolutionary story with the entire world. ”
CEO of Tadmor Entertainment, Emilio Shenkar, We solemnly declared: “We are excited to start working on the true, unbelievable and inspiring story of Said and Sagi with the fascinating team of MGM, led by President Steve Stark. “In collaboration with two of the greatest athletes in history, Sagi Muki and Said Mulai and with the support of the World Judo Association, we are confident that we will create an exciting story that will bring different peoples closer together and reach the hearts of many people around the world.”
President of the World Judo Association, Marius Wieser, Said: “The story of Sagi Muki and Said Moulay crosses the boundaries of sports. This is an example of the mutual respect and caring that can exist between human beings, alongside physical and mental excellence, a story about contemporary heroes. We are convinced that their personal example can and must serve as a sign and role model for young people around the world. We are pleased to work closely with MGM and Tadmor Entertainment on this fascinating project, which will give us the opportunity to bring to the general public the story of our champions and the values they apply in their lives, and to inspire hope in millions of people. ”