Argo 2012
This film won many praises mainly because it is an American movie that over glorifies the American efforts to save its citizen from its 'evil' enemies. In the process, it made genuine helpers mere bystanders. It narrates a secret mission apparently to rescue six of their embassy staff who managed to escape their captors during the takeover of the American Embassy back in 1979.
Ben Affleck (the director and producer) stars as a CIA agent who masterminds an escape plan for the embassy staff by entering Iran as a Canadian film maker looking for a location for his movie, Argo, a space fantasy film. He manages to enter and contact the escapees. The suspense of escaping from the menacing Iranian militia amidst the last minute cancellation of their ticket and the heart throbbing excitement at the immigration exit point forms the highlight of the movie.
The camera shots were not typical of a feature film but that of journalistic filming, like how it would look when reporters would capture a live coverage, adding authenticity to the story. That's fresh! Even though we all know how the ending would be, the director still managed to the high tension excitement right till the end!
The fictitious exit point drama before the runway police car chase (also never happened) |
People who were involved in the actual mission clarified that the actual mission was not filled with as much anxiety and other nationalities also played more important roles. But then, as this film is based on real events and not the real deal, dramatic licence makes it perfectly okay to paint CIA as the eternal good guys and the rest of the world as either dumb or barbaric!
To be fair, the film tries to tell and justify the Iranian uprising, albeit its historical inaccuracies (was it on purpose?). After being ruled by many Shahs, a secular prime minister was elected in 1950. He nationalized the oil fields run by American and British companies. In retaliation, US supported a coup de tat to place Shah Reza Pahlavi as their puppet king. Too many killings and punishment were meted out by the Savak (his secret police) during his opulent rule - the empress is said to have bathed in milk and Shah had his lunch flown from Paris on Concorde!
The people retaliated with the 1979 Islamic revolution. The deposed Shah (in USA for cancer) is demanded to be returned. In this setting, the American Embassy hostage drama takes place.
The great escape becomes comes to an end when the stewardess announces on the PA system, "..alcoholic beverages will be served now as we are clear off the Iranian skies!..."
The people retaliated with the 1979 Islamic revolution. The deposed Shah (in USA for cancer) is demanded to be returned. In this setting, the American Embassy hostage drama takes place.
The great escape becomes comes to an end when the stewardess announces on the PA system, "..alcoholic beverages will be served now as we are clear off the Iranian skies!..."
Just a few observations..
I never knew the word 'sweat shop' was in vogue before the 90s and the 'f' word was not used that rampantly in the late 70s (I think, unless I kept with the wrong company).
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