Tehran: Iranian director and screenwriter Jafar Panahi intends to return to Iran despite an arrest warrant awaiting him, APA reports. The director made this announcement in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Panahi has been accused of producing anti-government propaganda in his films, leading to a travel ban that prevented him from leaving Iran for more than ten years. This ban was lifted in 2023, allowing him to leave the country. Since then, Panahi has been sentenced in absentia to prison over his latest film, “It Was Just an Accident,” which won the Palme d’Or at the 78th Cannes Film Festival.
There is a possibility that Panahi will be detained upon his return to Iran. He has stated that the inspiration for “It Was Just an Accident” came from his time imprisoned in Iran and the individuals he met during that period. The film highlights the violence against individuals detained during protests and its repercussions.
Panahi has also voiced his support for the ongoing protest actions in Iran.