Jafar Panahi: podcast appearances and interviews

Jafar Panahi, born on July 11, 1960, is an Iranian filmmaker and actor recognized for his artistic contributions to post-1979 Revolution Iranian cinema. He is associated with the Iranian New Wave movement and is known for creating films rooted in neorealism that focus on the lives of women, children, and marginalized groups. Panahi began his career with short films and worked as an assistant to Abbas Kiarostami. His debut feature film, The White Balloon, won the Caméra d'Or at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival, marking a significant achievement for Iranian cinema. Over his career, Panahi has received numerous awards, including top honors at Europe's major film festivals: the Palme d'Or at Cannes for It Was Just an Accident, the Golden Bear at Berlin for Taxi, and the Golden Lion at Venice for The Circle. He has also been recognized with the Silver Medallion at the Telluride Film Festival and nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award. Panahi's career has been marked by conflicts with Iranian authorities, resulting in bans and censorship of his films, particularly after The Circle addressed women's issues in Iran. In 2010, he was sentenced to six years in prison and a 20-year ban on filmmaking, charges related to 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic.' Despite these restrictions, Panahi continued to produce films clandestinely, often reflecting on his artistic limitations under state surveillance. Works such as This Is Not a Film, Closed Curtain, Taxi, and No Bears depict his ongoing struggles and creative resilience. He was awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2012 and was included in Time 100 for 2026.