Neon (the film studio behind last year's Oscar and Cannes winner Anora) has released the first trailer for Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident, the searing Iranian thriller that won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
The film, which marks Panahi’s long-awaited return to international cinema, is set to hit theatres in late October, following festival stops at Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival.
With Neon backing the release and a major Oscar campaign already in motion, It Was Just an Accident is poised to become one of the most talked-about international films of the year. Here's what you need to know.
Watch the trailer
The trailer (released overnight) teases a gripping meditation on vengeance, truth, and the price of survival.
What is the plot?
The trailer sets the stage for a tense and morally complex story. Vahid Mubasseri stars as a man haunted by memories of his time in prison, where he was tortured for the simple act of demanding his wages. Convinced he has finally found his tormentor, he kidnaps the man and drags him into the desert, preparing to bury him alive. But the central question looms: does he have the right man?
As the character wrestles with certainty and revenge, he seeks confirmation from a former fellow prisoner, played by Maryam Adshari, now working as a wedding photographer. Her attempt to balance a photo shoot with the sudden intrusion of this life-or-death demand ratchets up the tension, pulling even the bride (Hadis Pakbaten) and groom (Majid Panahi) into the volatile mix.
What is the story behind the film?
Panahi, renowned for films like Taxi (Berlin Golden Bear) and The Circle (Venice Golden Lion), once again worked without permits and under constant threat of government intervention. Drawing on his own experience in Iranian prisons, the director weaves a narrative that blurs the line between personal history and cinematic storytelling.
Who else is involved?
The supporting cast includes Mohamad Polielyasmehr, Georges Hashemzadea, Ebrahim Azizzi, Delmaz Najafi, and Afssaneh Najamabadi.
Produced by Panahi with Philippe Martin and co-produced by Sandrine Dumas and Christel Henon, the film is a collaboration between Les Films Pelléas and Jafar Panahi Productions, spanning Iran, France, and Luxembourg.
When can I watch it?
The film is set to have releases in NYC and LA later in October, so Australia will likely follow suit toward the end of the year (though an official cinematic release has yet to be announced).
However, if you're in Melbourne this month, you can catch a screening of the film at MIFF (screenings are happening on 16, 20, 21 and 23 August).
