Over the years, Ben Affleck has made a name for himself as a talented actor, director, and screenwriter. One of the high points of his career came with his role in the 2012 film Argo, a historical thriller. In the film, Affleck plays Tony Mendez, a CIA operative who is tasked with rescuing six American diplomats from Tehran, Iran, during the 1979–81 Iran hostage crises.
And Affleck was almost charged with a war crime for his portrayal of Tony Mendez in the movie. The Iranian government accused him of glorifying the CIA’s role in the 1979 hostage crisis.
Why Ben Affleck Was Almost Charged with War Crime for His Role in the Film?
Ben Affleck’s performance in Argo was widely praised by critics and audiences alike, earning him critical acclaim and recognition in the industry. His portrayal of Tony Mendez was a standout in the film, grounding the high-stakes thriller.
However, the Iranian government almost demanded that Ben Affleck be charged with “distortion of history” and “insulting the Iranian people“.
According to Dr. Kevin Barrett for PressTV, Iran’s 24-hour news network (Via Uproxx):
“Well-known French lawyer Isabelle Coutant-Peyre has met with Iranian officials planning a lawsuit against the makers and distributors of the controversial film.”
Mohammad Lesani, General Secretary of Monday’s Hoax of Hollywood conference in Tehran, announced,
“Argo is made by three film-producing companies in Hollywood…the Islamic Republic of Iran is going to sue all those who have been active in the anti-Iran domain, including directors and producers.”
Affleck denied the allegations, saying that the movie was based on a true story and that he was simply trying to tell the story of the hostages who were rescued.
The charges were eventually dropped and the film marked a turning point in Ben Affleck’s career.
The True Story Behind the Film
Argo, directed by and starring Ben Affleck, is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that takes its inspiration from a remarkable real-life event. Released in 2012, this critically acclaimed film tells the story of a daring CIA rescue mission during the Iran hostage crisis of 1979-1980.
After the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, Iranian militants stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took most of the staff hostage. Six diplomats, however, managed to escape and found refuge with the Canadian ambassador. The CIA was tasked with finding a way to get the diplomats out of Iran without attracting attention, and they came up with a daring plan: to pose as a Canadian film crew shooting a science fiction movie called Argo.
The film’s protagonist, Tony Mendez, portrayed by Ben Affleck, is a real-life CIA operative who is tasked with rescuing these six Americans. The film takes some creative liberties with the true story, but it is generally accurate in its depiction of the mission, believes Affleck.
Watch Argo on HBO Max.
