Washington Post - "Iran’s state-run media dismissed the award-winning “Argo” as little more than propaganda, calling it an “advertisement for the CIA” and characterizing it as offensive to Muslims. Iranian Culture Minister Mohammad Hosseini, meanwhile, said Hollywood was guilty of “distort[ing] history” with the film, according to a report in The Times of Israel. The film portrays Iran’s 1979 taking of 52 American hostages, a handful of whom launched a daring escape with the aid of the Canadian ambassador. The escape — which came by way of disguising some of the Americans as a film crew — was the main subject of the movie. Tehran City Council member Masoomeh Ebtekar, who occupied the U.S. Embassy during the 1979 event, called the film’s portrayal of mob violence an exaggeration, The Times of Israel says. The film is not being shown in Iran, but many have accessed bootleg versions of it online and via DVD networks, The Times of Israel says."
Okay, if this makes any sense at all it doesn't make much sense. Like I don't really even understand what Iran is trying to say here. It's a movie. So they think America just made this flick to advertise our CIA? What does that even mean? Pretty sure if we wanted to do that we would just make a bunch of commercials or something. But like we don't. The CIA isn't asking for more bodies or more recognition- its about as low key as it gets. And then they have the nerve to say Argo is offensive to Muslims...you ever think Americans were offended back in '79 when Iran held 52 Americans hostage, as documented in the movie? THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED. Personally, I think Iran's state-run media is barking up the wrong tree here. Must just be jealous of all the Oscars it won last night. Hey, Mohammad Hosseini, you let us worry about Hollywood, and we'll let you worry about your nuclear crisis.
#locals
The fact that the United States and Iran are not on good terms politically makes this a hard argument. The Iranians could be lashing out at the US for promoting this movie as propaganda for the CIA. I am pretty sure that this was not the directors motivation when making this movie. They are hardly worried about creating propaganda and more concerned about winning an Academy Award. From the Iranians perspective, the film could be harboring some internal views towards the CIA and Iran. Unlike the US, Iran is a conservative bunch. Maybe they need some more entertainment in their lives so they won't have to blame every Hollywood film as propaganda.
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