Iranian filmmaker Panahi urges 'freedom' as he wins top prize at Cannes

japantimes.co.jpPublished: 5/24/2025

Summary

Jafar Panahi, an Iranian director known for his outspoken views on authoritarianism, won the prestigious Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival, using his acceptance speech to call for unity and freedom in Iran. His latest film, *It Was Just an Accident*, tells the story of Iranians confronting imagined torturers, exploring the moral complexities of seeking revenge against oppressors.