It Was Just an Accident

This time, the subject is the former regime's abuses against political opponents. We meet a group of people who share the experience of having been imprisoned for political resistance. They have managed to track down one of the prison guards who tortured them, and now face a moral dilemma: What should they do with him? Some advocate for immediate execution, while others urge milder approaches. What follows is an unconventional road trip driven by hate, trauma, and destroyed lives – with possibilities for reconciliation and forgiveness.

Panahi has once again created an award-winning narrative about the conditions in his home country. He is technically still under a 20-year ban from making films and had to shoot this film in secret. It Was Just an Accident is a revenge thriller spiced with dark humor and thinly veiled criticism against the oppressive rule in Iran. The film won the prestigious Palme d'Or at Cannes and is France's candidate in the race for the Oscar for Best International Feature Film.