Neon has taken the rights of North America in the venerated author of the Iranian author Jafar Panahi, the title of Cannes’ competition «was just an accident», which marks the first Panahi film since he was released from prison in Iran.
The film, starring Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi and Vahid Mobasser, was received with a long -standing ovation and is an outstanding title of Cannes.
«It was just an accident» focuses on a large number of strong feelings on the part of a group of former prisoners towards a tortuous guard.
«When you spend eight hours a day with bandaged eyes, sitting in front of a wall, being questioned by someone standing on your back every day, you can’t stop asking what kind of conversation you can have with this man,» Panahi said to Variety In one of his first interviews after his 14 years of making films, talking to the press and traveling.
The film is produced by Jafar Panahi and Philippe Martin and co -produced by Sandrine Dumas and Christel Henon, with David Thion and Lilina, serve as associated producers. The film is a production of Les Films Pelléas and Jafar Panahi from Iran/France and Luxembourg. MK2 Films represents international sales rights.
The agreement was negotiated by Sarah Colvin and Jeff Deutchman with Fionnual Jamison of MK2 Films on behalf of the filmmakers.
«It was only an accident» marks the second collaboration between Neon and Jafar Panahi, after «the year of eternal storm» that played in special Cannes projections in 2021.
Panahi is considered one of the best living film teachers in his country.
In 2010, the author, known worldwide for winning works as «The Circle», «Offside», «This is not a movie», «Taxi» and more recently «No Bears», he was forbidden to make films, talk to the press and travel, although he substitiously continued to do them anyway. The ban was built in April 2023, and now the Iranian authorities allowed him to travel to Cannes to launch «it was just an accident.»
Last year in Cannes Neon picked up «The Seed of the Sacred Fig» from the Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasooulof, which was nominated for a Bafta and the best international feature film in the 97 Awards of the Academy
This year in Cannes, Neon debuted with the very praised «sentimental value» by Joachim Trier and «Alpha» by Julia Ducournou in the competition, and «Orwell: 2+2» by Raoul Peck and «Splitsville» by Michael Angelo Covino starring Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona who also produced.
(Tagstotranslate) Cannes Film Festival
