It Was Just an Accident outwardly begins as a typical misfortune, almost superstitious tale: a family driving through the night, hit a dog, then followed by another unfortunate incident. The plot shifted in something espionage-esque when Vahid, an ex prisoner, discovered that the man of the "unfortunate" family turned to out to be his walking nightmare. The tension escalated when Vahid and his fellow former prisoners decided to kidnap and torture the man, and the story has become unbridled from that point on. 

The most notable about Jafar Panahi's work here is he use of austere compositions to construct the cinematography. It's minimal, restrained and discipline that keeps the tension float. The subtle, dark comedy employed is also equally compelling, effortlessly acted and loudly spoken. And nothing could prepared me for how horror and silent the final scene was, even after the credit rolled, the sound still lurks on the black screen. 

Reflecting on Jafar Panahi's long history with government of Iran, It Was Just an Accident is an important piece as embodiment of his introspective life as a filmmaker. The movie covertly conveys his collective thoughts and feelings about having his freedom taken away and being confined for years after criticizing the economic inequality and oppression.

It Was Just an Accident outwardly begins as a typical misfortune, almost superstitious tale: a family driving through the night, hit a dog, then followed by another unfortunate incident. The plot shifted in something espionage-esque when Vahid, an ex prisoner, discovered that the man of the "unfortunate" family turned to out to be his walking nightmare. The tension escalated when Vahid and his fellow former prisoners decided to kidnap and torture the man, and the story has become unbridled from that point on. 

The most notable about Jafar Panahi's work here is he use of austere compositions to construct the cinematography. It's minimal, restrained and discipline that keeps the tension float. The subtle, dark comedy employed is also equally compelling, effortlessly acted and loudly spoken. And nothing could prepared me for how horror and silent the final scene was, even after the credit rolled, the sound still lurks on the black screen. 

Reflecting on Jafar Panahi's long history with government of Iran, It Was Just an Accident is an important piece as embodiment of his introspective life as a filmmaker. The movie covertly conveys his collective thoughts and feelings about having his freedom taken away and being confined for years after criticizing the economic inequality and oppression.

End of the film was absolutely haunting. That alone made me enjoy this rather than just be glad I watched it to cross of my list.

I’m sure if I watched on something better than the back of a Delta Airlines seat I would’ve enjoyed this more, but here we are. Shoutout Delta for even having this available.

End of the film was absolutely haunting. That alone made me enjoy this rather than just be glad I watched it to cross of my list.

I’m sure if I watched on something better than the back of a Delta Airlines seat I would’ve enjoyed this more, but here we are. Shoutout Delta for even having this available.

Should have listened to my boy Hamid.
M

Should have listened to my boy Hamid.
M

Coolidge screening w/ Jafar Pahani interview

An incredible mix of black comedy that triggered many laughs in the screening juxtaposed with intensely serious topics of a country in turmoil, social divide, government control etc. that evoke immense despair, empathy and grief

The first 20 is crucial to understanding the movies intentions, but is tonally extremely different and is a bit of an expository slog

Beyond that, things heat up and the movie spreads its wings and soars. So many unexpected laughs, gorgeous shots, and clever camera work to capture frantic behavior in tight spaces as they filmed in secret

Repetitive use of specific sounds and lights help craft a narrative & thematic through-line

Pahani was very gracious for the warm response to the film and answered many questions on the making and inspiration. Of course much of this film is inspired by his time in Iranian prison, and he describes each of his characters as one of the handful of similar POVs he noticed many of his prison companions as well as his friends and family as sharing.


A rebuke of authoritarianism, pahani somehow captures the important human elements to describe the pain and prolonged suffering of those living through this period while producing enough comedy to the point where I will somehow rewatch for the laughs and crescendo pacing more than the political messaging

Coolidge screening w/ Jafar Pahani interview

An incredible mix of black comedy that triggered many laughs in the screening juxtaposed with intensely serious topics of a country in turmoil, social divide, government control etc. that evoke immense despair, empathy and grief

The first 20 is crucial to understanding the movies intentions, but is tonally extremely different and is a bit of an expository slog

Beyond that, things heat up and the movie spreads its wings and soars. So many unexpected laughs, gorgeous shots, and clever camera work to capture frantic behavior in tight spaces as they filmed in secret

Repetitive use of specific sounds and lights help craft a narrative & thematic through-line

Pahani was very gracious for the warm response to the film and answered many questions on the making and inspiration. Of course much of this film is inspired by his time in Iranian prison, and he describes each of his characters as one of the handful of similar POVs he noticed many of his prison companions as well as his friends and family as sharing.


A rebuke of authoritarianism, pahani somehow captures the important human elements to describe the pain and prolonged suffering of those living through this period while producing enough comedy to the point where I will somehow rewatch for the laughs and crescendo pacing more than the political messaging

I was so excited to see It was just an accident . It had been ages since I went to the cinema, and I went with one of my best friends 💕💕💕, so that alone made it a really special outing. Honestly, I’m pretty torn—there’s a lot I loved, but also parts that left me a bit confused. At times, it felt a little slow. The whole vibe reminded me of The Seeds of the Wild Fig—I know it sounds like a weird comparison, but that’s just the feeling I got.
I’m still not sure if it fully deserved the Palme d’Or, though, mostly because I haven’t seen many other films in competition this year. That said, I really did enjoy it. Some sequences were absolutely brilliant.
The butterfly effect? I LOVED IT .
And the last 30 minutes? Pure genius . If the whole film had kept the intensity of those final scenes, I’d have given it a full 5 stars without a second thought. Honestly, I’d recommend the film just to witness those last two sequences—they are that good. **The final scene is unforgettable, truly, a cinematic punch you don’t forget.
**

I was so excited to see It was just an accident . It had been ages since I went to the cinema, and I went with one of my best friends 💕💕💕, so that alone made it a really special outing. Honestly, I’m pretty torn—there’s a lot I loved, but also parts that left me a bit confused. At times, it felt a little slow. The whole vibe reminded me of The Seeds of the Wild Fig—I know it sounds like a weird comparison, but that’s just the feeling I got.
I’m still not sure if it fully deserved the Palme d’Or, though, mostly because I haven’t seen many other films in competition this year. That said, I really did enjoy it. Some sequences were absolutely brilliant.
The butterfly effect? I LOVED IT .
And the last 30 minutes? Pure genius . If the whole film had kept the intensity of those final scenes, I’d have given it a full 5 stars without a second thought. Honestly, I’d recommend the film just to witness those last two sequences—they are that good. **The final scene is unforgettable, truly, a cinematic punch you don’t forget.
**