Filmmaker Jafar Panahi on 'It Was Just an Accident' and challenging the Iranian government

Key Concepts

• Social Filmmaking: Panahi’s approach to filmmaking, focusing on human experiences and avoiding simplistic categorizations of “good” vs. “bad” characters, even when dealing with political subjects.
• Authoritarianism & Censorship: The oppressive political climate in Iran and the restrictions placed on artistic expression.
• Trauma & Vengeance: The central themes explored in "It Was Just an Accident," focusing on the psychological impact of torture and the complexities of seeking retribution.
• Art as Resistance: The role of art in challenging oppressive regimes and preserving a record for future generations.
• Evin Prison: A notorious Iranian prison known for its harsh conditions and political prisoners.

The Work and Perspective of Jafar Panahi: A Profile in Social Filmmaking

Introduction & Oscar Nomination

Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s latest film, “It Was Just an Accident,” received nominations for Best Foreign Film and Best Original Screenplay at the recent Oscars. This recognition prompted a conversation with Panahi by Jeffrey Brown for the “Art in Action” series, exploring the intersection of art and democracy.

"It Was Just an Accident": Plot and Personal Connection

The film centers on Vahid, a mechanic traumatized by the sound of a prosthetic leg – a sound associated with his torturer, a man he only knew by voice during his time as a political prisoner. Driven by this trauma, Vahid kidnaps a man he believes to be his tormentor, leading a group of fellow survivors to question the man’s identity and contemplate the consequences of vengeance. Panahi reveals the story is deeply personal, drawing from his own experiences with interrogation and imprisonment, specifically the disorienting experience of being blindfolded and relying solely on voice and movement to identify his captors. He describes a persistent desire to recognize his interrogator even outside of prison, questioning whether recognition would even be possible.

Panahi’s History of Resistance & Imprisonment

Jafar Panahi, 65, is a celebrated filmmaker whose work humanizes life in Iran despite the authoritarian rule of the Islamic Republic. However, his artistic expression has come at a significant cost. In 2010, he was sentenced to six years in prison on charges of propaganda against the state. Following an international outcry and a hunger strike, he was released after three months but prohibited from traveling. Film festivals symbolically honored him with an empty chair on stage. He was arrested again in 2022, spending seven months in Evin prison. Upon his release, he expressed a commitment to remembering those still imprisoned, stating, “Some of them had not seen the outside world for five or six years…when you leave prison, you feel like there is a weight on your shoulders.”

Thematic Focus: Beyond Retribution

“It Was Just an Accident” isn’t a straightforward vengeance thriller. Panahi incorporates elements of humor, such as scenes of characters navigating Tehran traffic while one is in a wedding gown, to emphasize the complexities of the situation. The film’s core question, according to Panahi, isn’t about retribution, but about breaking the cycle of violence: “What's going to happen? The same conditions? The same anger? Same conflict? Same violence?” He aims to provoke viewers to consider whether such patterns can be disrupted.

Defining "Social Filmmaking"

Panahi distinguishes his work as “social filmmaking” rather than “political filmmaking.” He explains that social filmmaking considers the subjects, ideas, and historical context of a story, avoiding simplistic portrayals of characters as simply “good” or “bad.” He acknowledges that his films may address political subjects, but his primary focus remains on the human experience.

Creative Adaptation Under Censorship

Panahi is known for his resourcefulness in the face of censorship. When he received a 20-year ban on filmmaking, he responded with “This Is Not a Film,” shot entirely on an iPhone. He describes the ban as a “joke,” asserting that it’s impossible to stifle a filmmaker’s creativity: “You say, stop making films. So I will say this is not a film at all.” While the ban was eventually lifted, Panahi continues to avoid submitting his scripts for government censorship. “It Was Just an Accident” was filmed in secret, with nightly backups of digital material and limited information shared with the largely non-professional cast to protect them. He characterizes this clandestine approach as “the norm” under such circumstances.

The Artist’s Responsibility & Commitment to Iran

When asked about an artist’s responsibility to address social conditions, Panahi doesn’t frame it as a “duty,” but as an imperative: “I feel that, in these conditions, I must speak up. I must make this film.” He believes that even if his films are currently suppressed, they will serve as a historical record for a future time when they can be seen. Despite receiving a new one-year prison sentence for “propaganda activities” while abroad, Panahi has publicly stated his intention to return to Iran, explaining, “When you know that what you do has a price and you have to pay it…why don't you as a filmmaker do the same?” He emphasizes his deep connection to Iran, its language, culture, and the questions surrounding its future.

Current Context & Ongoing Turmoil

The interview concludes with a note on the ongoing political turmoil in Iran, with demonstrations and violent responses from the regime. Panahi’s film gains relevance in this context, and his future remains uncertain.

Conclusion

Jafar Panahi’s work exemplifies art as a form of resistance. Through his commitment to “social filmmaking,” he explores complex human experiences within a repressive political environment, refusing to be silenced and creating a powerful legacy for future generations. His willingness to face personal consequences for his art underscores his belief in the importance of bearing witness and preserving a record of truth, even in the face of adversity.