Panahi Re-enters Iran as Farhadi Speaks Out Against War on Civilians

Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has returned to Iran after traveling abroad to promote his Palme d’Or-winning film It Was Just an Accident, according to informed sources. He reportedly re-entered the country on April 8 by land via Turkey due to flight restrictions. Despite facing longstanding legal pressure, including a prison sentence, travel ban and other restrictions, Panahi had earlier stated he would return home following the film’s Oscar campaign. His work, often created under state limitations, continues to explore social and political realities shaped by his own experiences.

At the same time, fellow Iranian director Asghar Farhadi has called on artists and filmmakers worldwide to speak out against the ongoing U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iran, warning of the devastating impact on civilian infrastructure. His appeal came on April 7, as tensions escalated with Iran rejecting a proposed ceasefire and international concerns growing over potential attacks on non-military targets. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has also stressed that targeting civilian infrastructure violates international law.

Farhadi, a two-time Oscar winner for A Separation and The Salesman, has been living outside Iran since 2023. His upcoming film Parallel Tales, featuring a prominent French cast, is expected to premiere at Cannes in May. In his statement, he urged the global artistic community to unite against what he described as inhumane and illegal actions, emphasizing that the destruction of infrastructure is ultimately an assault on human life and dignity.