It Was Just an Accident
2025
*****
Director: Jafar Panahi
Cast: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr, Delnaz Najafi, Afssaneh Najmabadi, Georges Hashemzadeh, Amin Jafari
A mechanic who was imprisoned for political reasons encounters the man he believes tortured him during his detention. He kidnaps the man and contacts other survivors to help confirm his identity. Jafar Panahi's brilliant political drama explores questions of memory, justice, and forgiveness, as the group members must confront the moral implications of revenge. Panahi, who shot the film without permission in Tehran, exposes Iran's repressive political environment and widespread corruption with dark humour. In the end, the story is a celebration of humanity. The final scene is just perfect.
