Jafar Panahi Makes Triumphant Cannes Return After Prison Release With ‘It Was Just an Accident,’ Earning Near 8-Minute Ovation

Dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi struck a chord with “It Was Just an Accident,” one of his most political movies, and his first film since being released from jail in Iran. The movie, which marks his comeback in competition at Cannes seven years after “Three Faces,” was greeted with a nearly eight-minute standing ovation at its premiere on Tuesday.

After the roaring applause died down, Panahi made an emotional speech in which he paid homage to the filmmakers who are currently imprisoned in Iran, saying he felt some guilt upon being released from prison. “I turned around and saw a very high wall. And behind this wall, all these other loved ones, all these people remained behind this wall,” he said. “So I wondered how I could be happy, how I could feel free, if they were still inside.”

He continued: “Today, I’m here with you, I receive this joy, but I feel the same emotion. How can I rejoice? How can I be free while in Iran, there are still so many of the greatest directors and actresses of Iranian cinema, who, because they participated in and supported the demonstrators during the Femme Liberté movement, are today prevented from working?”

Wearing dark glasses, Panahi’s voice was shaking as he spoke. He wasn’t alone in his emotion — “It Was Just an Accident” left many audience members wiping away tears as well.

Shot in Iran without a permit, “It Was Just an Accident” features women who aren’t wearing a hijab as a symbol of rebellion against the country’s oppressive hijab law. “It Was Just an Accident” is also his first film since his travel ban was lifted after 14 years.

Panahi’s 2021 documentary “The Year of the Everlasting Storm” played in Special Screenings in Cannes, but he did not attend the festival. His 2018 film “Three Faces” won best screenplay. “It Was Just an Accident” is well positioned to scoop an award at Cannes, whose jury is presided by the politically engaged actor Juliette Binoche.

Panahi, who is considered one of Iranian cinema’s greatest auteurs, previously won prizes “The Circle,” “Offside,” “This is Not a Film,” “Taxi” and “No Bears,” winner of the Venice Film Festival’s 2022 Special Jury Prize. “Taxi” won the Berlin Golden Bear in 2015, while his “Offside” won the Silver Bear in 2006.

Arrested by Iranian authorities in July 2022 after signing an appeal against police violence, Panahi spent several months behind bars.

Panahi produced “It Was Just an Accident” with Les Films Pelléas, the production company behind “Anatomy of a Fall.” It’s co-produced by Bidibul Productions and Pio &Co.

Panahi is one of the two leading Iranian filmmakers attending Cannes this year, alongside Saeed Roustaee who is also presenting his movie “Mother and Child” in competition.