Synopsis

Vahid, an unassuming mechanic, is suddenly reminded of his time in an Iranian prison when he has a chance encounter with Eghbal, a man he strongly suspects to be his sadistic jailhouse captor. Panicked, Vahid rounds up a few of his fellow ex-prisoners to try and confirm Eghbal’s identity. Master filmmaker Jafar Panahi creates a deeply felt moral thriller, where high stakes tension combines with unexpected flurries of humor and thoughtful, sometimes devastating questions regarding persecution and revenge.

It Was Just an Accident is 1 hour 43 minutes long and is in Persian and Azerbaijani with English subtitles. This film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, violence, strong language, and smoking.

Note: Photos and synopsis courtesy of Neon, US distributor for It was Just an Accident.

Trailer

Reviews

“In his latest movie, the formerly banned filmmaker Jafar Panahi tells a circuitous, moving and unexpectedly funny story of resistance. It Was Just an Accident Review: A Liberation Story Straight From Iran — The New York Times, Manohla Dargis

“At the heart of the film are individual memories of the unspeakable, life-altering agony that Vahid and his companions suffered—experiences that, in light of Panahi’s own persecution, take on a devastating personal significance.” Jafar Panahi’s Cannes Triumph Sends a Warning to Authoritarians Everywhere — The New Yorker, Justin Chang

“An unfortunate encounter with a dog sets off a chain of surreal, grotesque events that expose the corruption and tyranny at the heart of Iran.” It Was Just an Accident review – Jafar Panahi takes us on a nightmare trip into a land of bribes and brutality — The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw

Awards & Festivals

2025 Cannes Film Festival

• Winner — Palme d’Or

2025 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

• Winner — Best Original Screenplay
• Winner — Best Foreign Language Film

2025 Gotham Awards

• Winner — Best International Feature
• Winner — Best Director
• Winner — Best Original Screenplay