Renowned filmmaker Jafar Panahi, recognized with the prestigious Cannes award, pushes limits yet again at the Busan International Film Festival.
Jafar Panahi, the Iranian director and social filmmaker, is making waves in the global film industry with his latest release, "It Was Just an Accident." The film, which draws from Panahi's 2022 imprisonment at Evin Prison, Iran's most notorious penitentiary, is co-produced with France and will be opening in Korean theaters on Oct. 2, among the first in the world.
Panahi, who has been a vocal critic of the Iranian government, has faced numerous hardships in his career. He was banned from filmmaking in 2010 by Iranian authorities and has since been imprisoned, placed under house arrest, and had his passport seized. Despite these challenges, Panahi believes every filmmaker has the duty to find a way to make their vision, regardless of the country's problems.
Panahi's introspection led to the creation of the film "This Is Not a Film" (2011), which was shot secretly inside his apartment. Another notable work is "Taxi" (2015), a film shot entirely from the driver's seat as he ferried passengers around Tehran, which won the Golden Bear in Berlin.
Panahi emphasizes that both types of cinema are necessary and a filmmaker should choose their path based on understanding themselves. He outlines two types of cinema: one that caters to audience tastes and the other that reflects the filmmaker's unique perspective. Panahi considers himself a social filmmaker.
In Busan, where Panahi is currently in town for his Asian filmmaker of the year award, he used his platform at the festival to advocate for systemic change in the film industry, specifically addressing the issue of government permission required for Oscar submissions in authoritarian countries.
Despite the lack of reports identifying young directors or film producers working on a film production demanding Panahi's release in Iran, Panahi's deep connection to the city of Busan is evident. He attended BIFF's inaugural edition in 1996 with "The White Balloon."
France has selected Panahi's Palme d'Or winner "It Was Just an Accident" as the country's Oscar submission, a testament to the film's impact and Panahi's unwavering commitment to his craft. The film follows a group of former political prisoners who believe they've identified their torturer by the sound of his boots, a poignant exploration of justice and accountability.
As Panahi's latest film premieres in Korean theaters, it serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of art to challenge and inspire.
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