Iranian master director Jafar Panahi reimagines the road movie in his Palme d’Or-winning revenge drama. Combining moral dilemmas, comic moments and shocking revelations to potent effect, its outstanding ensemble cast takes you on a thrilling and devastating emotional rollercoaster.
When a traveller with a distinctively squeaky prosthetic leg arrives at his auto-repair shop one night, Vahid is convinced that it’s the officer who tortured him in prison years ago. Seizing the opportunity for revenge, Vahid abducts the man and transports him to the desert, intending to bury him alive. But before he can do the deed, Vahid’s conscience halts him – what if he’s kidnapped the wrong person? Over a frenzied 24 hours, he sets out to find other former prisoners who can verify the man’s identity, amassing an unlikely group of co-conspirators along the way, each of whom carries their own motivation for vengeance.
Previously subjected to banning orders and imprisonment, and forced to film in secret even after his release, Jafar Panahi claimed cinema’s most coveted prize at Cannes for this incendiary film. Combining pitch-black gallows humour and devastating plot twists with elements of real stories Panahi heard from fellow prison inmates, It Was Just An Accident defiantly lambasts authoritarianism while delivering the entertainment value of a gripping thriller.
Getting Here and Getting In:
Parking at UWA is free after 5pm. We recommend car parks 1 and 5: check this map.
Allow time for parking: UWA hosts many events and sometimes it takes a little longer to find a space.
Doors open at 6pm. In 2026 the box office will be cashless.
Food and Drink
The pay-bar offers wines, beers, soft and hot drinks, along with chips, chocolate and, importantly, ice creams!
The Somerville Auditorium is also a BYO venue: bring your own picnic and favourite tipple.
We have many picnic tables and grassed areas.
Pre-ordering your gourmet pizza is crucial: order here.
Enjoying your film
The film starts at 8pm until 1 March 2026. From 2 March 2026 the film starts at 7.30pm.
Cushions courtesy of Lotterywest are available.
Seats are not assigned: on your arrival you can reserve a seat with a rug or cushion. Please don't leave single seat gaps.
We have plenty of seating, please do not bring your own.
There are four locations suitable for wheelchair users - please speak to a staff member on your arrival.
Nights can soemtimes be cool, so please rug up.
We treat the Auditorium for mosquitoes, but still bring your preferred mozzie spray.
Lost Property
If you've lost something during your night out, you can report it here.
Visit Perth Festival's website for more information.