“It Was Just an Accident,” Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or winner at Cannes 2025, delivers a masterful ending that will surely be remembered in the history of both Iranian and world cinema. This striking conclusion brilliantly masks the film’s shortcomings, making them feel almost irrelevant.
Although the performances can seem uneven and the narrative unfolds through symbolic slogans set against sweeping desert landscapes, the film weaves in a distinctive humor—born from the irrational choices of characters bent on revenge during interrogations with uncertain identities. This interplay creates a compelling tension.
The fragmented cuts and seemingly aimless storylines, which at first might appear chaotic, along with the group’s impulsive, emotional decisions that at times drift away from comedy, are ultimately redeemed by the film’s commanding finale. The closing sequence leaves a lasting impact, lifting the entire work to a higher plane of cinematic experience.
