Banned Iranian Director Gets Standing Ovation at Cannes

Jafer Panadhi was previously put behind bars in Iran and banned from Film-making after attending the Cannes festival in 2003. He was accused of speaking against the constraints of the regime. “The movie" It was just an accident” was picked as a “Furious but funny revenge thriller that takes aim at the oppressive regime ", he said. Aiming the country to obtain freedom he conveys visual stories of the people suffering inviting global reorganization to the problem. His Cannes award has truly made the 15 years of suffering wait to a fruitful success.

The Movie “It was Just an Accident” was shot based on Jafer’s own prison experience, The story conveys a story of Five ordinary Iranian, who are encountered by a man who later tortures them in Jail. The conversations with the prisoners are the inspiration for the characters the director addresses. The Director added “Stories that they told me about, the violence and the brutality of the Iranian government”. He was also sentenced to six years of prison in 2010 for supporting anti-government protests and creating propaganda against the systems he was released in February 2023. Released on conditional bail he was banned from travelling abroad and making movies. The 64-year-old director has accomplished the rare feat of winning from the 78 Cannes festival after a 15-year gap.

The article is authored by Sherin MJ, an intern from Loyola Academy, Hyderabad