Will Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or Win Lead to Oscar Glory Like Anora’s Historic Success?

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Previously, the film titled “Anora” journeyed from its triumphant victory at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it earned the Palme d’Or on the Croisette, to the grandest evening in Hollywood – the Oscars. This year, during the Oscars ceremony, “Anora” secured five out of six nominations it received, with director Sean Baker shattering the record for the most Oscars won by an individual in a single night for a single film. He walked away with accolades for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and a Best Picture trophy for his production role. In a surprising turn of events, Mikey Madison emerged victorious in the Best Actress category, outshining Demi Moore and her performance in “The Substance”.

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The movie “Anora” became the first film since 2019’s “Parasite” to win both the Palme d’Or and Best Picture. Going further back, only three other films have achieved this double honor – “Marty” in 1955, “The Last Weekend” in 1946, and none before 1946. However, it appears that there has been a growing trend of films debuting at Cannes and then going on to win more awards during the fall season. With the recent announcement of the new Palme d’Or winner, one might wonder if it could also win big in other awards ceremonies. Let’s also consider the chances of the other award-winning films from this year’s Cannes edition for further accolades.

Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just An Accident Wins The Palme d’Or

The Revenge Thriller Will Continue To Have An Impact

This year’s Palme d’Or goes to the acclaimed Iranian director Jafar Panahi for his latest film, which further criticizes the Islamic Republic and the injustices it has inflicted upon him and other Iranians. This recognition marks ongoing solidarity from the global film community, who have repeatedly advocated against the imprisonments, bans on filmmaking, and travel restrictions that Panahi has encountered while creating his groundbreaking films.

In today’s skeptical competition for awards, the storyline holds as much weight as the movie’s quality, and “It Was Just An Accident” boasts a compelling one. Fortunately, it’s not only a gripping revenge thriller and a sharp commentary on life under oppressive rule, but also raises thought-provoking questions about recurring cycles – all wrapped up in an excellent film.

The movie delves into themes of violence, the concept of retribution, and the influence of past traumas on our daily choices. It’s a film filled with anger, a justified emotion given its creator’s recent experiences. Panahi produced it following his latest imprisonment, which concluded when he chose to fast in protest.

NEON is set to distribute the film “It Was Just An Accident,” which appears poised for a strong promotional push and is likely to secure a nomination in the Best International Feature category. Since it’s a co-production among Iran, France, and Luxembourg, either France or Luxembourg could potentially submit the movie for consideration, given that Iran might not do so. There’s also a good chance Panahi could receive a nod for Best Director as well. Known for his critically acclaimed films, Panahi is one of only four directors to win the Palme d’Or (“It Was Just An Accident”), the Venice Golden Lion (“The Circle”), and the Berlin Golden Bear (“Taxi”).

The category of Best Original Screenplay remains a possibility, and there’s even a chance for several below-the-line nominations such as editing. However, predicting the success of the cast is a bit uncertain since most of its members are relatively unknown. Notably, the film’s main character Vahid is portrayed by Vahid Mobasseri, who has worked with the director before.

What About The Other Films?

Multiple Cannes Titles Seem Primed For A Run

As a supporter for NOEN, I must say, this year has been quite a whirlwind! We’ve been fortunate to bring several captivating titles to Cannes Film Festival, such as “Sentimental Value”, “Alpha”, and “Splitsville”. In addition, we were thrilled to acquire films that went on to win awards at the festival. Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “The Secret Agent” and Oliver Laxe’s “Sirat” have joined our roster, with the latter sharing the Jury Prize with “Sound of Falling”. Wagner Moura from “The Secret Agent” even took home the Best Actor prize at Cannes. However, it was “It Was Just An Accident” that sealed our sixth consecutive Palme d’Or win. What a journey it has been!

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but feel optimistic about the potential pathway to nominations for “Sentimental Value.” Given the Academy’s past relationship with Joachim Trier and renowned actors like Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning, it seems this film could be a strong contender. Trier’s previous masterpiece, “The Worst Person in the World,” was nominated for Best International Feature and Best Original Screenplay, which bodes well for this new production.

The rising star, Renate Reinsve, has also caught the attention of American audiences, having graced our screens last year in A24’s “A Different Man” and Apple TV+’s “Presumed Innocent,” alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. It wouldn’t be surprising to see her earn a Best Actress nomination if “Sentimental Value” resonates with the voters.

2026 might bring Wagner Moura his first Oscar nomination, given that the movie, which blends elements of a spy story with the emotional depth of a contemplative drama, is about a man attempting to flee Brazil during the 1970s military dictatorship. The film shares thematic similarities with Walter Salles’ “I’m Still Here,” another production set during this period that garnered recognition for its portrayal of Brazil’s military regime. Notably, “I’m Still Here” won the Best International Feature award and Fernanda Torres received the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama. It’s possible that Moura and “The Secret Agent” could replicate this success.

NEON isn’t the only production company with promising films coming up this fall. For instance, Jennifer Lawrence’s performance in “Die, My Love” has garnered significant praise and could potentially mark a comeback for her, considering she was not awarded at Cannes but is being hailed as delivering her best work yet. With four Oscar nominations and one win already to her name, it’s likely that Lawrence will re-enter the spotlight when all the dust settles.

The movie titled “Sound of Falling” seems to be a strong contender for Best International Feature, but its fellow Jury Prize recipient, “Sirat”, might face challenges due to its unconventional and shocking narrative. Although it’s an exceptional film, the bizarre twists in its plot could make it difficult for some traditional Academy members to connect with. However, the enlarged membership base might help overcome this hurdle.

Over the past few years, the Academy has been accepting a significant number of new members, many hailing from global film industries. This trend is evident in recent award winners like “I’m Still Here” and particularly “Parasite“, which triumphed in both the Best International Feature Film and Best Picture categories. For quite some time, the Academy tended to overlook international cinematic accomplishments, favoring Hollywood productions instead. However, the landscape has shifted now, as more global talents are being acknowledged. The upcoming Cannes Film Festival of 2025 is shaping up to be an incredibly diverse event, paving the way for a broader range of films and filmmakers to receive their due recognition. Notably, distributors such as NEON and Mubi, who are gaining popularity, will ensure that these films get screened in theaters – something crucial for any movie’s success.

Check out our coverage from the 77th Cannes Film Festival.

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2025-05-26 02:51