Jafar Panahi, a jailed dissident filmmaker from Iran, won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for his film 'It Was Just An Accident'. This film, a thriller depicting former prisoners who kidnap a guard, highlights the severe human rights issues in Iran. Panahi's acceptance speech called for unity and freedom among Iranians. His win comes after 14 years without leaving Iran due to a prior travel ban. He, alongside fellow director Mohammad Rasoulof, faces significant oppression, emphasizing the struggles of Iranian artists against government restrictions.
"I have a request from all groups of people of all faiths in my country and abroad, all Iranians who are striving for freedom, for human dignity, and for democracy," he said on accepting the award amid a rousing standing ovation from the audience.
"No one should dare tell us what kind of clothes we should wear, what we should or shouldn't do. Cinema is a society. Nobody is entitled to tell what we should do or refrain from doing," he said.
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