A masterpiece of cinematic invention and political bravery, Jafar Panahi’s rousing new film deservedly won the Cannes Palme d’Or and opens the 2025 New Zealand International Film Festival on a powerful and inspiring note. The film begins with a man driving at night, along with his pregnant wife and daughter, when suddenly, the car hits something and quickly breaks down. This may be the accident referred to in the title.
But when the limping father seeks help at a warehouse, the squeak of his prosthetic leg is heard by worker Vahid, who was once imprisoned, blindfolded and tortured by the regime. He recognises the sound as the same as that made by his torturer, and decides to take action, rounding up other former prisoners to help him, none of whom ever saw the face of their tormentor. In the last two decades, Panahi has faced his share of problems with the regime: banned from filmmaking, he has twice been sentenced and imprisoned.
With It Was Just An Accident, he addresses the violence of the regime and its officials head-on, as well as its victims intense desire for revenge. Nevertheless, Panahi tempers the anger with irony as his characters embark on a journey punctuated by dramatic turns and unexpected twists.
Local tip
He tīwhiri mō te rohe
Make a night of it in the Aotea Arts Quarter. Aotea Square, Auckland Town Hall, Q Theatre and plenty of nearby dining options are all within a short walk of The Civic.
Getting there
Te huarahi ki reira
The Civic is on the corner of Queen and Wellesley Streets in the city centre. Te Waihorotiu Station is right nearby, making the train an easy option, while frequent bus services stop along Queen and Wellesley Streets. If driving, The Civic Car Park beneath Aotea Square is the closest parking option. For more transport information, check out our Getting Around page.
More info
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