It Was Just an Accident is a 2025 thriller movie directed by the acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. The gripping narrative unfolds as Vahid, a veteran political prisoner, believes he is actually facing the man who once tortured him. Mixing psychological suspense with ethical paradox, the film is an unsparing, if glib, examination of trauma, memory and justice.
2025 Cannes Film Festival film that took home the coveted Palme d’Or making it one of this year’s most significant films. A broader theatrical release is set for the end of 2025. In this NetFilming guide, we’re going to look at its filming locations and production story.
Where was It Was Just an Accident filmed?
The film was shot in and around Tehran, Iran’s capital city. Panahi chose Tehran for practical as well as cultural and political reasons. ‘The film is a mirror of true Iranian life; there is no hiding behind anything.’ By selecting real city streets, garages, and urban interiors, the film creates a self-contained set that reflects authentic Iranian life while also advancing the story and themes of confrontation and survival.
The film’s topic was sensitive, so the shooting took place without proper permits. The cast also shot under significant duress, at times in secret or in public spaces with actresses’ hair uncovered—a bold choice that reflects the new normal of life in contemporary Iran. The crew was able to finish the project after a group of plainclothes police officers stepped in and used force to confiscate the footage towards the end of filming.
When Did Filming Take Place?
Filming was finished before the movie’s premiere at Cannes on May 20, 2025, but the exact dates are still a secret for security reasons. Reports from the production suggest that filming probably happened in the months before early 2025. The secret process shows the dangers that Panahi and his team faced while making this powerful story come to life.
Production Timeline
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Early Development | Script written by Jafar Panahi exploring themes of memory, torture, and revenge |
| Pre-Production | Planning done in secrecy; limited crew assembled |
| Principal Photography | Shot secretly in and around Tehran (dates undisclosed due to political risk) |
| Post-Production | Completed in France to ensure safety and editing freedom |
| Premiere | Debuted at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2025 |
| Worldwide Release | Scheduled for late 2025 in select theaters and festivals |
It Was Just an Accident Behind The Scenes
Making It Was Just an Accident was no easy task for Jafar Panahi, given Iran’s strict rules on filmmaking. He shot the movie in secret, even after his long ban was lifted, because the story’s themes of torture and revenge would never get official approval. Panahi worked with a small crew— just his cinematographer, sound guy, and actors knew the full script. They filmed in Tehran under the radar, but things got tense when police showed up near the end and demanded footage. Luckily, with elections happening, the authorities backed off to avoid bad press, letting the team finish.
The film’s idea came from Panahi’s time in prison. He spent seven months locked up, facing daily blindfolded interrogations, which sparked thoughts about meeting a torturer again. As he told Variety, “When you spend eight hours a day blindfolded, seated in front of a wall, being interrogated by someone standing behind your back every day, you can’t stop wondering what kind of conversation you can have with this man.” This personal pain shaped the plot, where Vahid kidnaps someone he thinks harmed him.
Panahi also drew from talks with other prisoners, like sociologists and students, who shared stories of violence under the regime. In a Hollywood Reporter chat, he said, “All these characters that you see in this film were inspired by conversations that I had, stories that they told me about, the violence and the brutality of the Iranian government with prisoners.” He wanted to explore non-violence and how people can coexist after such trauma.
Another big change was showing women without veils in some scenes, reflecting the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement after Mahsa Amini’s death. Panahi noticed this shift when he left prison and saw Tehran transformed. He explained in Variety, “It was when I was crossing the city that all of a sudden I realized that Tehran had changed, because some women were just walking around with no veil.”
Post-production happened in Paris for three months, which Panahi found tough, saying he “thought I was going to die” from being away from home. The film was co-produced with French company Les Films Pelléas, helping it reach Cannes. I think Panahi’s grit shines through— he calls himself not brave, just doing his job, but his story proves otherwise. In Film Comment, he shared, “I’m not that brave. I’m just doing my job. I’m making my films.” This behind-the-scenes look shows how real-life struggles fuelled a thriller that’s both personal and universal.
It Was Just an Accident Official Trailer
Stay tuned for more updates on It Was Just an Accident and other films at NetFilming!
FAQs
1. Where was It Was Just an Accident filmed?
The movie was shot in and around Tehran, Iran, using real city streets and buildings.
2. Why did Jafar Panahi film in secrecy?
The team shot the movie without permits and in secret because it was about politics and there were strict rules in Iran.
3. What award did the film win at Cannes?
It won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, which is one of the highest honours in world cinema.
4. When will the movie release worldwide?
A wider release is planned for late 2025, following its festival run.
5. Did Tehran feature in other international films?
Yes, notable works like A Separation (2011) and Taxi (2015) also used Tehran as a filming backdrop.
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 in Tehran, with behind-the-scenes details, production timeline, and trivia from Jafar Panahi’s thriller.){kind=link}