The red carpet may be all rolled up, but that doesn't mean the Oscar controversy will end there. With Ben Affleck's "Argo" taking home the widely expected prize for Best Picture last night at the Oscars, the Iranian government — who have never been big fans of the movie in general — haven't wasted any time in weighing in.
Mehr news agency cited the involvement of Michelle Obama in announcing the Best Picture winner as a “politically motivated” maneuver, while the country's state television called the victory "an advertisement for the CIA." Of course, this is what certain quarters in America also say about "Zero Dark Thirty," but we suppose that's neither here nor there. But really, it's not a shock that Iran takes issue with the movie, something culture minister Mohammad Hosseini says is part of a "soft war" against the nation, with Hollywood presenting a “distorted history” of what went down during the country's post-revolutionary period. The government claims that the protests outside the American Embassy were not as violent as they were depicted to be in the film.
But hey, they'll get a chance to tell the story their own way as Iranian director Ataollah Salmanian has already announced that he will make "The General Staff," his own version of the events in "Argo." He promises it will be "an appropriate response to the ahistoric film 'Argo,' " though he's waiting to get state funding. But considering the events of last night, and Hamshahri newspaper noting "[Iran] has not produced anything about the [U.S. Embassy storming] after more than three decades” we presume the wheels are in motion to provide a state-sanctioned rebuttal to Affleck's film, which is already widely bootlegged in the country. [EW/Guardian]
Iran's- GOVERNEMENT- (not people) is sickening, ridiculous & disturbing. After being the subject of films for the last 2 out of 3 years. WINNING Best Foreign Pic & now Argo ( a horrible part of history in for both the US & Iran) you would think Iran would be flattered or at least acknowledge the good points of the film….
While the film is extremely dramatized (in regards to prisoners & riots, b/c it was not DRAMATIC as the film showed in regards to the protests as well it was not that violent)… I guess that is why they are upset……BUT ITS A MOVIE ! things need to be heightened ! Chill the fuck out
Thought this was written with enough taste. I've had problems w/ your political dismissals but this is fine.
There's legitimate questions to be asked here with Argo. It's not thaaaat good of a movie. It wasn't reviewed with total praise. Michelle Obama announcing winner surrounded by soldiers was weird. Happy ending with American flags/swelling music. Clooney stalwart Blue Dog Democrat for Obama. CIA looks very good at end as saviors. Hollywood looks very good in it. All around makes powerful factions look good. Blah Blah. I think Affleck is a genuinely nice guy though.