France’s Oscars Pick Is an Acclaimed Iranian Film Snubbed by Iran

The French Oscars selection, "It Was Just an Accident," is an acclaimed Iranian film that was snubbed by Iran's government. The film, which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, will now be eligible for the best international feature category at the Academy Awards. The director of the film, Asghar Farhadi, has criticized the selection process by non-democratic countries, stating that it is often influenced by political factors rather than artistic merit. He has called for a more transparent and democratic system for choosing films to represent countries at the Oscars. The selection of "It Was Just an Accident" is seen as a bold move by the French Oscars committee, as it challenges the traditional approach to selecting international films. The film's international recognition and critical acclaim make it a strong contender for the Oscar, despite the political tensions surrounding its selection.