Iranian Filmmaker Panahi Wins Cannes Palme d’Or After Travel Ban Lifted

Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi won the Palme d’Or at the 78th Cannes Film Festival for his revenge thriller 'It Was Just an Accident,' a film made clandestinely after years of travel bans and imprisonment in Iran. The film, which combines dark comedy with a critique of Iran’s authoritarian regime, centers on former political prisoners abducting a suspected torturer, reflecting Panahi’s own experiences and stories from Evin Prison. Panahi’s victory was met with a standing ovation and emotional reactions, with jury president Juliette Binoche and actress Cate Blanchett presenting the award. Panahi emphasized freedom in his acceptance speech, calling for unity and resistance against imposed restrictions on personal and artistic expression. The win continues the streak of the indie distributor Neon, which has backed the last six Palme d’Or winners, many of which have also received Oscar recognition. The festival concluded amid challenges, including a power outage, but maintained a celebratory and resilient atmosphere, underscoring the enduring power of cinema in the face of political and social adversity.