Oscar And BAFTA-Nominated Filmmaker Jafar Panahi Condemns “Murderous” Islamic Regime During First U.K. Visit In Two Decades

Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, visiting London for the first time in 20 years, condemned the Iranian Islamic Republic for “murdering” student protesters in Tehran last month. The director is in town to attend Sunday’s EE BAFTA Film Awards where his latest picture, It Was Just An Accident, is nominated in BAFTA’s Film Not in the English language category. Through […] Jafar Panahi speaks onstage during the award ceremony of the 38th European Film Awards. Andreas Rentz/Getty Image Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, visiting London for the first time in 20 years, condemned the Iranian Islamic Republic for “murdering” student protesters in Tehran last month. The director is in town to attend Sunday’s EE BAFTA Film Awards where his latest picture, It Was Just An Accident, is nominated in BAFTA’s Film Not in the English language category. Through interpreter Iante Roach, Panahi explained that “unfortunately the [U.K.] government wouldn’t give me a visa. One of the many excuses that they employed was that I spent time behind bars, and I never really understood what they meant.” (Panahi has been in prison twice in Iran on the dubious charges of anti-government propaganda.) Related Stories News Is There An Upset Looming At BAFTA Awards? Plus, Disney's Asad Ayaz On Studio's Oscar Hopes For 2025's Biggest Movie - Notes On The Season