There was a certain anxiety that Panahi might encounter problems upon his arrival in Iran, but according to images published on social media, he arrived without incident early on Monday at Tehran's largest airport and was greeted with flowers and applause.
In contrast to the warm welcome at the airport, the win of the Golden Palm, the first for an Iranian filmmaker since "Taste of Cherry" by the now deceased Abbas Kiarostami in 1997, has been met with lukewarm reactions from official quarters in Iran. The news has indeed been noted in the state news agency Irna, but has otherwise received limited attention in the country.
The film "It was just an accident is politically charged and shows five Iranians confronting a man they think tortured them in prison – a story that is inspired by Panahi's time in prison. In his acceptance speech, Panahi urged all Iranians around the world to unite and together fight for a "free Iran".
Let us put aside all problems, all differences. What matters most right now is our country and our country's freedom, said the filmmaker.
