CANNES, FRANCE – In a moment charged with both artistic triumph and profound political defiance, Iranian director Jafar Panahi has accepted the coveted Palme d’Or at the 78th Cannes Film Festival for his latest work, “It Was Just an Accident.” The victory marks a monumental return to the international stage for a filmmaker who has endured years of imprisonment and a long-standing ban on filmmaking and travel by the Iranian authorities.
Panahi, whose physical presence at the festival was itself a testament to his unwavering artistic spirit and recent lifting of a travel ban, received a thunderous standing ovation as he took the stage Saturday evening. His win for “It Was Just an Accident,” a film critics have lauded as a “furious but funny revenge thriller that takes aim at oppressive regimes,” resonates deeply given his own experiences with state repression.
In his acceptance speech, delivered with a quiet but firm resolve, Panahi transcended the cinematic celebration to issue a powerful call for unity and freedom in his homeland. “What’s most important now is our country and the freedom of our country,” he urged, his voice resonating through the Palais des Festivals. “Let us join forces. No-one should dare tell us what kind of clothes we should wear, what we should do, or what we should not do.” He added, “The cinema is a society. Nobody is entitled to tell us what we should do or refrain from doing. And let’s continue to hope.”
The 64-year-old director’s journey to this moment has been arduous and often clandestine. In 2010, Panahi was sentenced to six years in prison and a 20-year ban on filmmaking and travel for “propagandizing against the system” after supporting anti-government protests. Despite the ban, he continued to make films in secret, often resorting to unconventional methods, including smuggling his 2011 film “This Is Not a Film” to Cannes on a USB drive hidden inside a cake. His previous works often found international acclaim even in his enforced absence.
Image source: France 24
His last spell in prison, from which he was freed in 2023, was for protesting against the detention of two fellow filmmakers. This recent trip to Cannes marked his first appearance at an international festival in 15 years, a stark reminder of the personal cost of his artistic and political convictions.
“It Was Just an Accident” draws inspiration from Panahi’s own time in jail, incorporating stories and experiences shared by other detainees. The film tells the tale of ordinary Iranians confronted with a man they believe tortured them, forcing them to grapple with themes of revenge and forgiveness in the face of tyranny. Critics have praised its raw emotional honesty and its poignant exploration of violence and resilience under oppressive rule.
Panahi, who has now achieved the rare feat of winning the top prizes from the Cannes, Berlin, and Venice film festivals, has vowed to return to Tehran despite the risks of further prosecution. “As soon as I finish my work here I will go back to Iran,” he told reporters in Cannes. “And I will ask myself what’s my next film going to be.”
His triumph at Cannes is more than just an artistic accolade; it is a profound act of defiance and a powerful message from a filmmaker who, against immense odds, continues to use his art as a mirror to reflect the human condition and a voice to champion freedom.