Banned Iranian director’s clandestine project earns top honor at Cannes, beating fierce competition in festival’s strongest year yet.
A banned Iranian director just made Cannes history. Jafar Panahi’s Un Simple Accident—filmed in secret—won the Palme d’Or at the 2024 festival, sparking a tearful standing ovation.
Panahi, previously barred from filmmaking in Iran, drew from his prison experiences for the gripping story of torture survivors seeking justice. He kept sunglasses on during his emotional acceptance speech.
The win capped Cannes’ most celebrated lineup in years, with Juliette Binoche’s jury awarding China’s Bi Gan (Resurrection) a special prize. Norway’s Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value) took the Grand Prix.
