IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT capsule review

Here’s a great example of a perfectly imperfect film imbued with cleverness, uniqueness, charm and poignancy delivered in an unexpected way. This the latest from renowned and brave Iranian filmmaker Afar Panahi who several years ago was banned from making movies by the government. As a result and ever since the ban, he has taken personal and political risk in forging ahead creating art and telling relevant stories. “It Was Just an Accident” is no exception to he and his cast and crew’s artistic stance and putting out this relevant story of moral dilemma and revenge.

Randomly in the middle of one fateful nigh, mechanic, Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri) believes he has  reencountered his torturer, Eghbal (Ebrahim Azizi), from years ago while he was under government detainment. Until he can get confirmation of the alleged tortuer’s identity, Vahid decides to kidnap and gag Eghbal, stuffing him into a box in the back of his van. He then seeks out and is referred to a few individuals who too had been in the same prison and may be able to successfully tell him whether or not this is the monster from their past and whose actions continue to haunt their dreams. It is in the enlisting of their help, with Eghbal in tow, that weird and wacky series of events are unleashed. Thought this dark comedy thriller, all involved, including a bride and groom and their photographer, feel an unquenchable thirst for answers and for revenge. Along the way, they are challenged with moral complexities of revenge murder and the risks involved for themselves if they let their captive go.

There are times through the film, where the pacing is uneven and a couple scenes are repetitive and over-written, but never to the point of losing the audience or detracting from it’s overall creative brilliance. Throughout, Panama deftly balances an intriguing sense of danger, with unexpected and welcome humor, and the cherry on top is the uproarious cast of characters in the hands of a bodacious ensemble of actors.

Director: Jafar Panahi
Writer: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshai, Ebrahim Azizi
Country: Iran, France
Languages: Persian, English
MPAA rating: PG-13
Runtime: 1h 45m
Production companies: Jafar Panahi Films, Les Films Pelleas