The 2025 Cannes Film Festival, which began on May 13, has already delivered some unforgettable moments — and one of the most powerful came from Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. His film It Was Just an Accident won the festival’s highest honor, the Palme d’Or, and has sparked emotional reactions and strong messages about justice, freedom, and hope.
According to Variety, the film is deeply personal, drawing inspiration from Panahi’s own time spent in prison. The story follows five people who believe they’ve recognized the man responsible for torturing them while they were detained. The twist is, all of them were blindfolded at the time, so they can’t be completely sure it’s the same person — a powerful metaphor for trauma, memory, and injustice.
Panahi hasn’t attended the Cannes Festival since 2003, so this return was especially meaningful. During his acceptance speech, reported by Reuters, he dedicated the win to all Iranians, and made a strong statement about freedom, especially for women in Iran. “Hoping that we will reach a day when no one will tell us what to wear or not wear, what to do or not do,” he said — a clear reference to Iran’s strict dress code and control over personal choices.
The director also expressed deep gratitude to his family, especially for standing by him during his difficult periods of absence, and to his film crew, who helped bring this risky and bold project to life.
He went on to make a heartfelt plea to all Iranians — both inside the country and around the world — regardless of their political or personal beliefs. He urged them to put their differences aside and focus on something more important: “Our country and the freedom of our country.”
Panahi is no stranger to persecution. He’s been jailed several times in Iran for making films that challenge the government and highlight human rights issues. Most recently, in 2022, he was imprisoned for seven months. During that time, he went on a hunger strike and was eventually released, according to Screen Rant.
His Palme d’Or win is being celebrated not just as a cinematic achievement, but as a powerful symbol of resilience, resistance, and the fight for freedom — both artistic and political.