How do you make something this visually arresting, well-paced and acted under constant threat of imprisonment? Without context, this is a remarkable film; with it, it’s awe-inspiring.

The magnificent It Was Just An Accident's willingness to ask questions about the very nature of justice and revenge comes from a place of great generosity and humanity – and no one would have blamed Jafar Panahi if he was lacking in either.

While Panahi doesn’t presume to say when forgiveness is preferable to justice, he takes the question seriously – and while the ending isn’t exactly reassuring, some degree of hope is implied in the way he allows his characters freedom to make the choice.

Panahi never resorts to sensationalism, and his dark comedy never loses sight of what's at stake. [Full review in Spanish]