Iranian dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi was awarded the Palme d’Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival for "A Simple Accident", a bold, underground film critical of Iran’s security forces and justice system.
Jafar Panahi © FID
Iranian dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi was awarded the Palme d’Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival for "A Simple Accident", a bold, underground film critical of Iran’s security forces and justice system.
It marks a major return for the 64-year-old director, who attended Cannes for the first time in 15 years.
In an emotional speech, Panahi called for unity among Iranians, declaring, “What matters now is our country and its freedom.” Filmed secretly without official permits, A Simple Accident features actresses without veils and directly challenges the power of the Iranian state. Despite facing potential repercussions, Panahi has vowed to return to Iran.
He becomes the second Iranian filmmaker to win the Palme, after Abbas Kiarostami in 1997. Last year, fellow Iranian dissident Mohammad Rasoulof received only a special prize before remaining in exile.
By Arman Rahimi
Iran's top security body approved the establishment of a National Defence Council on Sunday, according to state media, following a short air war with Israel in June that was Iran's most acute military challenge since the 1980s war with Iraq.
The commander-in-chief of Iran's military, Amir Hatami, said on Sunday that threats from Israel persist, according to state media.
U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy told families of hostages being held by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday that he was working with the Israeli government on a plan that would effectively end the war in Gaza.
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