It Was Just an Accident, the perfectly-rated revenge thriller, has confirmed its UK release date.
The film, which is written and directed by acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, follows an "unassuming" mechanic called Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri) as he encounters Eghbal (Ebrahim Azizi), a man he strongly suspects to be his former jailhouse captor.
Convinced that he is the "sadistic" man from his past, Vahid gathers several former prisoners in a bid to confirm Eghbal's identity. As they roam Tehran with their "presumed tormentor", the group must decide whether to take matters into their own hands.
Described as a "searing moral thriller" that depicts the "uncertainty of truth", It Was Just an Accident has now finally confirmed its release date in the UK and Ireland, with the film set to hit the big screen on 5 December.
Upon its premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May, where it won the prestigious Palme d'Or (Best Film) award, the film has received critical acclaim, with its approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes currently standing at a perfect 100% from 48 reviews.
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"Panahi, against all odds, has kept up a steady work-rate since his ban came into effect, but this is a full-force return to the dramatic voltage of his work a quarter-century ago," noted The Daily Telegraph, while Rolling Stone called it an "extraordinary revenge parable".
"Shot in secret under constant threat, It Was Just an Accident draws on Jafar Panahi's own harrowing experiences, infusing every frame with urgency and authenticity," opined the Toronto Star.
"It’s another very impressive serio-comic film from one of the most distinctive and courageous figures in world cinema," noted The Guardian, while Time Out praised the "quietly thrilling" third act.
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While It Was Just an Accident wowed critics and audiences at Cannes, the 82nd Venice International Film Festival has been taking place over the past week, with several notable films having their world premiere.
One such film is No Other Choice, the latest from acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook. The thriller, which follows a man (played by Lee Byung-hun) who goes to extreme lengths to secure a new job, has also received great reviews from critics.
It Was Just an Accident will be released in UK cinemas on 5 December.
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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
