Iranian Director Jaafar Panahi’s “Just an Accident” Selected to represent france in Oscars
Cannes Film Festival Golden parachis Award winner Jaafar Panahi, an iranian filmmaker secretly filming in his homeland, will see his latest work, “Just an Accident,” contend for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film as France’s official entry. The selection marks a important turn for Panahi, who has been imprisoned twice by Iranian authorities and is barred from filmmaking in his native country. He returned to Iran after receiving the Cannes prize.
The decision to submit Panahi’s film through France underscores the political obstacles he faces in Iran, where the government has consistently refused to submit his work for Oscar consideration. “The only way to compete for the Academy Awards is to run by a state, and Iran has never wanted to represent Jaafar Panahi,” explained Philip Martin, founder of “Du Bilias,” a production company involved in the film. This nomination provides a crucial platform for Panahi’s politically charged cinema, potentially amplifying its reach and impact.
Panahi is a celebrated figure in international cinema, having garnered numerous accolades at prestigious festivals like berlin and Venice. Despite his critical acclaim, he has never been nominated for an Academy award. “Just an Accident” was filmed in secret, a testament to Panahi’s commitment to his craft despite facing severe restrictions.
The French production company also collaborated on “Anatomy of a Fall,” directed by Justine Triet, which won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay in 2024 and the Golden Parachis Award the previous year. In 2015, France selected “Mustang,” directed by French-Turkish filmmaker Deniz Gamze Ergüven, as its entry for the American competition.