Jafar Panahi triumphs with Un Simple Accident” at Cannes 2025!

Jafar Panahi triumphs with Un Simple Accident” at Cannes 2025!

One name will be in the spotlight at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival: Jafar Panahi. The Iranian director won the coveted Palme d’Or with his latest work “Un Simple Accident”. The film addresses the experiences of former prisoners and its own critical perspective on the violence of the Iranian regime. The competition was made up of 21 other films, but under the chairmanship of Juliette Binoche, Panahi was able to convince the jury.

“Un Simple Accident” tells the story of a group of former prisoners who embark on a kidnapping to take revenge on their torturer. The film evolves into a chaotic road trip that addresses questions of revenge and the nature of violence. Despite this serious topic, there are also humorous elements that Panahi skillfully incorporates into the narrative.

Prizes and honors

The awards ceremony in Cannes, which took place after a brief power outage, also produced several awards. Mascha Schilinski received the jury prize for “Looking into the Sun”, which she shares with Oliver Laxe for “Sirât”. The Grand Jury Prize went to Joachim Trier for “Sentimental Value”. Keleber Mendonça Filho won best director for “O Secreto Agente,” while Nadia Melliti won best actress for “La Petite Dernière.” Wagner Moura won best actor for his performance in “O Secreto Agente” and Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne won best screenplay for “Jeunes Mères.”

Panahi's complex work is particularly remarkable because it was created in a context that is extremely challenging for many filmmakers in Iran. The director, who supported the Green Movement in 2009, was subsequently banned from filming for 20 years and banned from traveling.

Panhi's return to Cannes

Despite the adversities, he found ways to make his films happen. For example, he shot some of his works in his living room or in a car. His most recent film received an eight-minute standing ovation at Cannes, a mark of recognition for his creativity and courage. Panahi, who was arrested in July 2022 and imprisoned in Evin Prison for nearly seven months, was finally released in February 2023 when Iran's Supreme Court overturned his 2010 verdict. The pressure that the Iranian government puts on artists also influences the narratives in his films. These show uncovered women defying the hijab law and illustrate the brutality of state action.

Panahi himself says that the characters in “Un Simple Accident” are inspired by real conversations in prison. While other Iranian filmmakers have fled into exile, Panahi plans to continue living and working in Iran, describing filmmaking as a communal act of improvisation.

With his exciting new film and award at the Cannes Film Festival, Jafar Panahi has once again proven that he is an indispensable voice in international cinema, shining a light on the grim reality of his homeland. Despite all the challenges, he remains an integral part of the film world and plans to work on his next project soon.

vienna.at, spiegel.de, dw.com.