Counter-strike Iran plans film to correct Ben Afflecks Argo

Tehran is to fund a movie that will “correct” the distorted historical context of the recently released Hollywood movie, “Argo,” directed by the American actor, Ben Affleck.

Affleck’s Oscar-nominated “Argo” was based on a true story of a CIA operative, Tony Mendez, who led the rescue of six U.S. diplomats from Tehran during the 1979 hostage crisis. Agent Mendez faked a phony identity as well as a movie, the science fantasy “Argo,” to enter Iran and rescue the six U.S. diplomats who hid in the home of the Canadian ambassador for three months.

Stuck between the rock and hard place, firstly with being disregarded in the Oscar nominations in the best director category for “Argo,” Affleck now has to face a tough week as Tehran attempts to counterattack his film with its own version.

Tehran’s proposed film entitled “The General Staff” will be directed by Ataollah Salmanianis, according to The New York Times.


“This film, which will be a huge production, should be an appropriate answer to the film “Argo,” which lacks a proper view of historical events,” The New York Times quoted Salmanian saying in an interview with Iran’s semiofficial Mehr news agency.

Officials in Tehran dismissed Affleck’s movie after its release in October as anti-Iranian. To promote their ideology, Iranian leaders have started several foreign-language satellite channels.

Canadian ambassador surprised

The Canadian ambassador Kenneth Taylor, who is played by American actor Victor Garber in “Argo,” told The New York Times that he was surprised over Iran’s reaction to the movie.

“I’m not sure what the Iranians found wrong,” Taylor said. “It will be amusing to see what they take issue with. I think the Iranians know the true story of the Canadian involvement.”