Director Jafar Panahi Wins Palme d’Or at Cannes for It Was Just an Accident
Career Highlights and Notable Films
The White Balloon (1995)
Panahi’s feature film debut, The White Balloon, tells the story of a young girl’s quest to buy a goldfish for the Iranian New Year. The film received widespread praise for its warmth, innocence, and social commentary. It won the Camera d’Or at Cannes, establishing Panahi as a significant new voice in world cinema.
The Mirror (1997)
A semi-autobiographical film, The Mirror, explores childhood and memory through the perspective of a young girl trying to navigate her way home. The film was praised for its poetic realism and was awarded the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival.
Offside (2006)
One of Panahi’s most celebrated works, Offside examines Iran’s restrictive laws on women’s participation in sports, focusing on girls attempting to attend a football match disguised as boys. The film was acclaimed internationally and was Iran’s official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Taxi (2015)
Taxi is a documentary-style film where Panahi drives a taxi through the streets of Tehran, engaging with passengers who share their stories. The film received the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2015, marking a historic achievement as the first Iranian film to win the award in over 30 years.
No Bears (2022)
His most recent film prior to It Was Just an Accident, No Bears, explores themes of censorship, oppression, and the complexities of truth and perception in Iran. It was critically acclaimed and further cemented Panahi’s reputation as a master filmmaker.
May 24, 2025 | 7:00 pm
