A belated release for this year’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner, written and directed by Jafar Panahi, the celebrated Iranian film maker who is critical of the Iranian government and has been imprisoned several times. He made the film without official filming permission from the Iranian authorities.
A former political prisoner, Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri) believes he has seen the man who tortured him when he was incarcerated, Eghbal (Ebrahim Azizi). Vahid kidnaps him and, along, with a group of other ex inmates tries to verify it is who he thinks it is and decide on what they will do with him.
This drama is very neatly structured by Panahi. I knew very little about the plot, so when the opening scenes, from where the title is derived follow Eghbal and his family driving home, I assumed his character would be centre stage. So, I was wrong footed when a chance encounter with Vahid results in the focus shifting to him, and was puzzled when he started following Eghbal. It also has a chilling ending, one of the best of the year.
In between, the story meanders a little but it is never less than interesting. I was unsure of Eghbal’s guilt for a long time as he appears sincere when proclaiming his innocence. Panahi examines the nature and ethics of revenge, without the film getting bogged down. In fact, there are a surprising number of moments of levity. He is also explicitly critical of the ruling regime, so it is no surprise that he is constantly in danger of being arrested.
The cast is all good, particularly Mobasseri who accurately depicts an angry but conflicted man. I was also impressed with Mariam Afshari as Shiva, who seems more level headed but is just doing a better job of suppressing her rage.
Sure to be a nominee for best international movie at the Oscars, It Was Just an Accident is a deserved outside contender for a best film nomination.
Rating: 9 out of 10