Jafar Panahi’s Cannes Palme d’Or is a ‘Powerful Blow to the Machinery of Repression in the Islamic Republic,’ Says ‘Seed of the Sacred Fig’ Director Mohammad Rasoulov (EXCLUSIVE)

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As a film critic, I find myself deeply moved and inspired by the remarkable victory of my fellow Iranian director, Jafar Panahi, at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. His triumph with “It Was Just an Accident,” a bold and poignant revenge drama, comes as a beacon of hope for me, Mohammad Rasoulov – a fellow dissident auteur who had to flee my homeland in May 2024 following a jail sentence for my own dramatic work, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.”

In this moment, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of solidarity and admiration for Panahi. His success is not just a testament to his artistic talent but also to the power of cinema as a tool for freedom, expression, and resistance against oppressive regimes. As I continue my own journey in exile, I am reminded that the strength of our stories, like the sacred fig seed we plant, will grow and bloom, bringing about change and inspiring others who dare to challenge the status quo. Bravo, Jafar Panahi! Your victory is a triumph for all of us.

The surprising victory causes serious problems for the oppressive machinery in the Islamic Republic.

We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Jafar Panahi, along with his supportive family and the dedicated team behind this film. Despite facing years of challenges, they remained patient and resilient. The cast and crew displayed remarkable courage, unity, and trust in each other, bravely defying threats and pressure from authorities during the challenging and covert production process.

We’re excited to learn that the movie is set to be shown globally soon, and we’re confident that ‘It Was Just an Accident’ will make its way to Iranian viewers eventually, not just through traditional cinemas but also via the internet.

After enduring two imprisonments for “state propaganda” and being barred from leaving Iran for over a decade, filmmaker Panahi used his moment receiving the Palme d’Or to express heartfelt sentiments.

Panahi expressed his belief that now is the right time to appeal to every individual, regardless of their views, and all Iranians scattered across the globe – whether they reside within Iran or live overseas – so he can make a single request.

He urged everyone to put aside disagreements and focus on our nation’s wellbeing and its liberty. He suggested unity, stating that no one should dictate our choices – be it clothing, actions, or restrictions. This was said as he shared the platform with his film’s cast, which included several actresses who choose not to wear veils.”

Or, more colloquially:

“He called for putting aside differences and focusing on our country and its freedom. He encouraged unity, saying no one should tell us what we can or cannot do – like choosing our clothes or making decisions. This was said while he was up on stage with his film’s cast, which included actresses who don’t wear veils.

The movie ‘It Was Just an Accident’ revolves around a band of ex-political detainees who capture a man they suspect is their previous tormentor and interrogator. Remarkably, this film, which the director admitted was influenced by his own ordeal in an Iranian prison, has granted Panahi a unique achievement: winning the top award at all three major European film festivals – following his victory of Berlin’s Golden Bear for ‘Taxi’ in 2015 and the Golden Lion at Venice for ‘The Circle’ in 2000. Notably, Panahi was unable to attend those festivals because of a ban that was lifted in April 2023.

In response to a query from the French news agency AFP regarding concerns about going back to Iran following his win of the top film award at Cannes for “It Was Just an Accident,” he stated, “Absolutely not. We are departing tomorrow.

In the meantime, while the controversial filmmaker returns to Iran, Iranian news outlets are mostly overlooking Jafar Panahi’s significant win of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Despite Iran’s state news agency IRNA celebrating Asghar Farhadi’s award with an image of him and the title “Iranian cinema made history at the world’s largest film festival,” major English-language news outlets based in Tehran, such as Tehran Times and Iran Daily, did not report Panahi winning the Palme d’Or on Sunday. Instead, on the same day, Iran Daily announced that “The Last of the Whale Shark,” a documentary by another Iranian filmmaker Ramtin Balef, will be screened in competition at the upcoming Raindance Film Festival in London.

Below is the full statement from Mohammad Rasoulov, Kaveh Farnam and Farzad Pak:

Winning the Palme d’Or for “A Simple Accident” signifies the birth of a fresh period of triumph for a cinema that originated amidst restrictions and censorship, now breaking free into the open.

This surprising win delivers a significant and forceful setback to the oppressive system within the Islamic Republic.

We applaud Jafar Panahi, along with his supportive family, who have shown patience and determination over the years. Our admiration also extends to the cast and crew of this movie. They displayed unity, trust, and bravery by facing threats and pressure from security forces during the film’s challenging and covert production.”

The main idea remains the same but is written in a more natural and conversational style.

We’re delighted to learn that the movie is going to be shown worldwide shortly, and there’s no question in our minds that A Simple Accident will make its way to Iranian viewers soon – unconventionally, via the internet.

Over time, filmmakers have persistently fought against obstacles and artistic limitations through resilience, resistance, and innovative thinking. The once rigid system of censorship in Iran has been significantly weakened, allowing its defiant cinema to flourish more vibrantly than ever. We are optimistic about the future of this cinematic movement, trusting that many emerging Iranian filmmakers will continue to explore novel avenues for producing films that embody freedom, compassion, and liberation.

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2025-05-25 17:46