Iran Protests French Minister’s Praise of Cannes-Winning Film
Tehran, Iran — Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned France’s representative in a strong protest after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot lauded Jafar Panahi’s film, It Was Just An Accident, describing it as “a gesture of resistance against the Iranian regime’s oppression.” The film, which won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, tells the story of a man named Vahid who confronts his suspected torturer, drawing from Panahi’s own experiences while imprisoned.
The French minister’s comments prompted Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to respond sharply, accusing France of lacking moral authority and dismissing its concerns as “interventionist” in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This followed France’s threats of “concrete action” against Israel, which were largely viewed as ineffective.
Despite the controversy, Iranian state media offered a muted response to the film’s accolade. State TV criticized It Was Just An Accident as a “lie and smearing” while claiming it was filmed without the proper government approvals. Meanwhile, Panahi has a history of defying Iran’s censorship. He has faced travel bans since 2009 and was imprisoned in 2022 while inquiring about the detentions of fellow filmmakers.
Upon his return to Iran, Panahi was greeted with cheers at the airport, echoing the protest slogan "woman, life, freedom," which gained prominence after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. In his Cannes acceptance speech, he emphasized the importance of freedom for Iran, rallying Iranians to stand united against oppression and demanding personal freedoms from government dictates on dress and behavior.
The film’s recognition highlights significant cultural and political tensions, exemplified by the contrasting international applause and domestic backlash against Panahi’s work.
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