Latest news with #ItWasJust
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Director Panahi ready to return to Iran after Cannes to work on next film
Director Jafar Panahi, producer Philippe Martin and cast members Delnaz Najafi, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, and Majid Panahi pose during a photocall for the film \"Un simple accident\" (It Was Just an Accident) in competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Director Jafar Panahi and cast members Delnaz Najafi, Mariam Afshari, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, pose during a photocall for the film \"Un simple accident\" (It Was Just an Accident) in competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe Director Jafar Panahi poses during a photocall for the film \"Un simple accident\" (It Was Just an Accident) in competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe Director Panahi ready to return to Iran after Cannes to work on next film CANNES, France - Although he is now free to travel again after a 15-year ban, Iranian director Jafar Panahi said on Wednesday he would be returning immediately to his country after attending the Cannes Film Festival to begin work on his next film. Panahi was in southern France for the premiere of his latest film "It Was Just An Accident," which is competing against 21 other films for the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or. The 64-year-old was banned from making films or travelling abroad for 20 years in 2010, after he was convicted of "propaganda against the system". That sentence was recently revoked, allowing him to travel again for the first time in 15 years. Despite the travel ban and multiple stints in jail, Panahi said that making films did not put him in any more danger than the actions of other Iranians. "Every day, there is a restriction about the veil, every day there is an issue, but we see women going out unveiled. Isn't that dangerous?" said Panahi. "As soon as the festival ends, the next evening I will be in Tehran," said the winner of several international awards, including the 2015 Berlin Film Festival's Golden Bear for his film "Taxi". "I need to go think about what my next film will be." While he is also allowed to film again, Panahi said that the way he makes movies has not changed, as he does not follow the government's rules, such as submitting his script for approval. "It Was Just An Accident" follows Vahid, played by Vahid Mobasseri, who kidnaps a man with a false leg who looks just like the one who tortured him in prison and ruined his life. Panahi said that being in jail influenced the film but he himself did not experience all the stories recounted in it. "When you imprison an artist, you're giving them material, you're handing them new ideas. You're opening up a whole new world to them," said the director. The director, who was last at Cannes in person in 2003, when "Crimson Gold" was screened in the Un Certain Regard category, was visibly emotional, as was his cast, at Tuesday's premiere. "The excitement of being able to show the conditions we're working in, the circumstances under which we struggle, of being able to show so many things and have others understand-especially people who are not from the Middle East - was truly meaningful and compelling for us," said actor Mariam Afshari. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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.' More from Variety Jafar Panahi Speaks Out for First Time in 14 Years as New Film 'It Was Just an Accident' Premieres at Cannes: I Spent 'Eight Hours a Day Blindfolded' and 'Being Interrogated' in Iran Prison Taraji P. Henson Says Hollywood 'Lied to Me' About Black Movies and TV Not Selling Overseas, Spent Years Being 'Graceful in Getting Paid Less ... Not Anymore Though!' Spike Lee Says Denzel Washington Deserved Oscar for 'Malcolm X' Over Al Pacino: 'It's Like Basketball, Where the Ref Blows a Call' 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. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
