It Was Just an Accident is the latest film by Jafar Panahi (Taxi Teheran). Earlier this year, the film won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and, like Panahi’s previous films, was made without the permission of the Iranian Regime. It Was Just an Accident is a thriller in which revenge, humour and humanity come together.

Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri) is working in his garage when a customer comes in with car trouble. Vahid is shocked when he thinks he recognizes Eghbal, the officer who tortured him in prison. He smells revenge, but doubt starts to creep in. Together with a group of former inmates, he desperately tries to discover the truth. This leads them into situations that range from risky to downright absurd. How can they be sure that they’ve got the right guy?

Director Jafar Panahi was sentenced to six years in prison himself and was banned from working. He drew on his own experiences for It Was Just an Accident, which he filmed after his release without permission from the Iranian regime. His film has been unanimously acclaimed abroad.