Film Review – It Was Merely an Accident (2025)

      It Was Just an Accident, 2025.

      Written and Directed by Jafar Panahi.

      Featuring Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr, George Hashem, Zadeh Delmaz, Najafi Afsaneh, and Najm Abadi.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Vahid, an auto mechanic from Azerbaijan, has previously been imprisoned by Iranian authorities, during which he experienced blindfolded interrogations. One day, a man named Eghbal comes into his workshop, with a creaky prosthetic leg that makes Vahid suspect he might recognize one of his earlier torturers.

      One would assume there would be a consensus on how to respond when a group of former political prisoners confronts their tormentor, who one of them has decided to capture and confine in his van. Jafar Panahi’s film It Was Just an Accident dives into these personal moral dilemmas, making the narrative both thrilling and thought-provoking. The characters are still dealing with their trauma, each trying to cope in their own way, and their differing views on revenge spark meaningful discussions.

      Additionally, this group is uncertain whether the man they have encountered is indeed the one responsible for their suffering. Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri) is overwhelmed by paralyzing fear upon hearing the footsteps of Eghbal (Ebrahim Azizi), a brutal interrogator. The film opens with a subverted portrayal of Eghbal, showing him as a family man driving home with his daughter, who joyfully dances and sings in the car. Subsequently, an unfortunate encounter occurs when an animal is run over at night, leading to the pivotal confrontation and Eghbal's eventual abduction in daylight.

      As Vahid takes Eghbal to a remote location for questioning, doubts arise about whether he has the correct individual. In retrospect, Eghbal's request for his daughter to lower the volume in the car appears suspicious, perhaps invoking memories of the torture he once inflicted. Viewers learn that Vahid endured daily torment at the hands of Eghbal, imprinting specific details about his footsteps and injuries, despite being blindfolded.

      After forceful denials from Eghbal, Vahid consults others, gradually expanding the cast in a somewhat clumsy manner, occasionally stretching the film's concept to fit a longer runtime. The supporting characters are also former victims of abuse, including a wedding photographer, a bride whose husband believes she has moved on, and a volatile individual convinced of Eghbal’s guilt, itching to act violently. Conversations frequently turn introspective, with characters debating their desire for revenge and whether acting on it would turn them into someone equally reprehensible. As new moral challenges arise, the thematic discussions intensify.

      However, as It Was Just an Accident narrows its focus back to Vahid and wedding photographer Shiva (Mariam Afshari) for the climax, the final confrontation with the man thought to be Eghbal becomes explosive and intensely gripping, captured in a wide shot infused with red tones, with the man tied to a tree. While specifics of the conversation may seem minor, they convey significant meaning, elaborating on the character who has mostly remained restrained and sedated throughout the film.

      On one level, It Was Just an Accident serves as a poignant reminder that vengeance isn’t always the solution; it’s rich with political and traumatic nuances, adding emotional depth to the story. The fact that most of the performers are non-actors adds to the surprise, considering their powerful performances. The excellence of this film is not a coincidence; it features dynamic, intense filmmaking from the passionate Jafar Panahi, who, after being released from prison for opposing the government, creates essential art.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder