Busan: Celebrated Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, known for his social critiques and defiance of government censorship, affirmed his commitment to filmmaking despite immense pressure. “No one can ever stop filmmaking. Filmmakers, including myself, will always find a way,” the acclaimed director stated at a press conference during the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), where he was honored as the Asian Filmmaker of the Year.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Panahi has faced a filmmaking ban and imprisonment for alleged propaganda against the Iranian regime. He emphasized that even in hopeless situations, his voice cannot be silenced. Panahi recounted challenging periods in his career, including secretly shooting films, sometimes turning the camera on himself and famously directing “Taxi” from the driver’s seat of a cab. This film earned him the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 2015.
Panahi highlighted the importance of self-awareness for filmmakers, stating, “The first and most important step as a filmmaker is to truly understand himself and to know what he wants to say and how he wants to say it.” In May, Panahi joined the ranks of legendary directors who have captured the highest honors at the world’s three major film festivals. He won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 2000 with “The Circle,” the Golden Bear at Berlin with “Taxi,” and this year the Palme d’Or at Cannes with “It Was Just an Accident.”
The director’s struggles with political repression continue. In February 2023, he was released on bail after seven months in prison for protesting the detention of fellow filmmakers. At the press conference, Panahi shared his special connection with BIFF, a festival he has frequently attended despite state restrictions. He first attended the inaugural festival in 1996, where his first feature, “The White Balloon,” was screened.
Panahi expressed warm memories of the city and a personal connection with the late Kim Ji-seok, BIFF’s former deputy executive director. “When I was banned from leaving Iran, Kim Ji-seok came to visit me,” he said. “He liked my films.”
Panahi is set to present his Palme d’Or-winning film “It Was Just an Accident” in the gala section of the festival. The film, his first since his release from prison, is France’s official submission for the Academy Awards’ international feature category. “It could be submitted to the Academy because it was co-produced with France,” he explained, calling for collaboration among filmmakers in similar situations to overcome such challenges. “It Was Just an Accident” is set for its world theatrical release in South Korea on Oct. 1.