★★★★½

From prison to the Oscars: Director’s potent strike against Iran

With “It Was Just An Accident”, Jafar Panahi delivers a compelling ethical dilemma, revenge thriller and comedy all at once.

Michael BodeyFilm writer

Feb 5, 2026 – 5.00am

It Was Just An Accident ★★★★½

Written and directed by Jafar Panahi

Starring Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Vahid Mobasseri

Luxembourg/Iran, M, 103 min

As Iran combusts, the films of Jafar Panahi are even more compelling. His latest, It Was Just An Accident, the first since he was released from prison, is his most potent, a slow-burning but tense morality play.

Michael Bodey is a film writer and reviewer for The Australian Financial Review.

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