Palme d'Or granted to Iranian movie 'It Was Just an Accident', a dramatic portrayal of retribution
Film Festival Victory Spotlights Iranian Filmmaker's Courage
Iranian director Jafar Panahi clinched the top honor at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday, winning the Palme d'Or for "It Was Just an Accident." The acclaimed Storyteller managed the feat despite spending more than fifteen years under a travel ban and oppressive regime restrictions.
Cate Blanchett, jury president, bestowed the prestigious award upon Panahi in a moving ceremony. The distinguished filmmaker, a frequent Cannes attendee, has long pushed boundaries with his subversive work that mirrors Iranian society's struggles.
For Panahi, three years ago, prison and hunger strike approaches marked another challenge. Since then, however, he has continued creating more clandestine films within his homeland—including seminal works like "This Is Not a Film" and "Taxi."
Witnessing the emotional standing ovation, Panahi responded with awe and gratitude, crediting the audience and his collaborators for their unwavering support. On stage, he reiterated his hopes for freedom in Iran.
"Join me, let us unite," Panahi declared, emphasizing the shared human spirit of art and defiance against those who would suppress it. His plea echoed previous calls—namely by fellow filmmaker Juliette Binoche in 2010, who championed Panahi during his house arrest.
Panahi's triumph adds to Neon's unparalleled winning streak, making it the distributor behind the past six Palme d'Or winners. "It Was Just an Accident" follows their successes with titles such as "Parasite," "Titane," and "Anatomy of a Fall."
Simultaneously, Panahi's ride to Cannes glory was a somber reminder of his fellow artist, Mohammad Rasoulof—who earlier fled Iran to pursue refuge in Germany. Unlike Rasoulof, Panahi plans to return home to Tehran, despite his pride in his overseas success.
Inspired by Panahi's own prison experience, "It Was Just an Accident" follows a group of former prisoners who deliberate whether to take vengeance upon the man who tormented them in confinement.
This latest Cannes triumph is one of numerous accolades awarded to Panahi, having already won prizes at Venice and Berlin for projects like "The Circle" and "Taxi." Three other directors share the rare distinction: Henri-Georges Clouzot, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Robert Altman.
One jury member, Jeremy Strong, explained the two accolades given to "The Secret Agent" as a strong sign of the film's resonance. Kleber Mendonça Filho, the director, also received the prize for Best Director and Wagner Moura honored for his role.
Additional prominent awards went to Joachim Trier's Norwegian drama "Sentimental Value," Mascha Schilinski's German offering "Sound of Falling," Nadia Melliti for "The Little Sister," Óliver Laxe's "Sirât," Hafsia Herzi's "The French Coming-of-Age Drama," Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne for "Young Mothers," and Hasan Hadi for Iraq's first Camera d'Or winner, "The President's Cake."
Unsurprisingly, geopolitics held sway over the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, intruding both onscreen and off. The festival closed under the shadow of Donald Trump's proposal for a 100% import tariff on foreign films—a suggestion widely dismissed by filmmakers as absurd.
Along with other renowned American films at the festival—such as "Highest 2 Lowest" by Spike Lee, "Mission: Impossible - Final Reckoning" by Christopher McQuarrie, and "Eddington" by Ari Aster—Panahi's latest triumph now places him among the select few who have won all three major international film prizes (Palme d'Or, Golden Lion, and Golden Bear).
As is customary following significant victories, Panahi addressed the press, emphasizing the resilience of filmmakers and artists in facing adversity. He vowed that no governmental powers could prevent such individuals from thriving.
After his triumph at the Cannes Film Festival, Iranian director Jafar Panahi, known for his subversive work that mirrors Iranian society's struggles, may find inspiration for his next movie in the heart of Seattle's bustling entertainment scene, where movies-and-tv and politics often intertwine, much like his films do with Iranian politics. As he stands among the select few who have won all three major international film prizes, Panahi could use his voice to speak out against injustice, echoing his previous calls for unity and freedom, much like Seattle's activists resonate in the political sphere.
