The film was shot without a permit on location in Iran.
In a defining moment for global cinema, Iranian director Jafar Panahi took home the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival for It Was Just An Accident. This daring, politically charged feature was shot in secret without a permit in Iran.
The film premiered on 24 May to a packed house and a powerful 10-minute standing ovation. A gripping blend of thriller and social commentary, It Was Just An Accident explores themes of corruption, injustice, and state violence through two interwoven narratives. One follows Eghbal, a man navigating the aftermath of a tragic car crash involving his pregnant wife and young daughter. The other traces the stories of five prisoners, including a man named Vahid, who recount being tortured by an unnamed figure while behind bars. Slowly, the threads begin to connect, revealing unsettling truths.
Inspired by Jafar Panahi’s own imprisonment and decades-long battle against censorship, the film is a personal and political statement. Despite being advised not to proceed with the project, Panahi resumed filming in 2023, shortly after his release from jail. The result is a deeply courageous work that speaks volumes not only about storytelling but also about resistance.
Panahi’s presence at the festival makes the Cannes win even more poignant. For 15 years, the filmmaker was banned from leaving Iran due to his outspoken criticism of the regime. This year marked his first return to the Cannes red carpet in two decades.
Upon receiving the Palme d’Or, Panahi addressed the crowd with a moving speech, urging his fellow Iranians to stand up for freedom. “The most important thing,” he said, “is our country and the freedom of our country.”
It Was Just An Accident is slated for global release on 10 September.
GO: Visit festival-cannes.com for more information.