"It Was Just an Accident" Trailer: Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or Winner Premieres This October.

      Jafar Panahi joins the ranks of Henri-Georges Clouzot, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Robert Altman as only the fourth director to earn the Cannes Palme d’Or, the Berlin Golden Bear, and the Venice Golden Lion. His highly praised drama, It Was Just an Accident, is set for a significant fall release, debuting at TIFF and NYFF before hitting theaters on October 15. In anticipation, NEON has released the first trailer and poster.

      The synopsis reads: “Vahid, a simple mechanic, unexpectedly encounters Eghbal, a man he deeply suspects to be his former sadistic jailer. In a state of panic, Vahid enlists several former inmates, all of whom endured abuse at the hands of the same captor, to help confirm Eghbal’s identity. As the quarrelsome group drives around Tehran with their captive, they must grapple with how far they are willing to take matters into their own hands against their presumed oppressor. From the masterful filmmaker Jafar Panahi comes a gripping moral thriller that delves into the complex themes of truth's uncertainty and the choice between vengeance and mercy, as Panahi transforms his personal conflict into a powerful and stimulating piece of art.”

      Leonardo Goi shared in his review, “If you had the chance to confront the person who ruined your life and the lives of many others––a psychopath who tortured, raped, and killed under a repressive regime––what would you do? Would you seek vengeance or attempt the unimaginable––forgive and release him? It Was Just an Accident, Jafar Panahi's first film following his release from an Iranian prison, revolves around this painful dilemma. The plot is straightforward; however, its emotional impact is difficult to capture in words. In an unforeseen twist, four Iranians, who have served time for protesting the regime, manage to abduct the guard responsible for the horrific experiences they faced behind bars. After knocking him unconscious, they throw him into a van and drive around, contemplating their next move. The entire journey lasts less than a day. By the end, Accident feels like pressure-cooked content. Panahi fuses a scathing social critique with masterful craftsmanship: a powerful call for justice, and his latest work also serves as an excellent thriller. It is an extraordinary accomplishment.”

      Watch the trailer below: