The Middle East has been a constant problem area for as long as I can remember (and I'm old - or old enough). There hasn't been a period in my life when something unpleasant wasn't going down in the ME. I do not release my old homeland, the UK, from responsibility for some of it. That attitude almost had me avoiding the newly released movie Argo.....almost.
If you enjoy an adventure movie in which the CIA hero doesn't shoot anybody, (James Bond was never like this) none of the main characters carries a gun, but all are involved in a real life escape from danger venture, then Argo is for you. We saw it at the weekend. I enjoyed it a lot. Husband did too, but said that he found certain scenes a lttle too uncomfortably tense and unsettling. I know what he meant, especially the last scenes of the movie, when I felt the urge to yell out "for goodness sake (cleaned up version) get a flippin' move on!" That's a sign of good direction, I guess. Ben Affleck directed as well as playing the lead.
The film tells the true story, sticking to the facts for - I dunno - maybe 80% of the time, depicting events during the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Most (film says 60) staff of the US Embassy in Iran were held hostage, as spies, for over a year by Islamic militants. Six members of Embassy staff managed to escape and were taken in by the Canadian Ambassador in Tehran. The tricky job of getting six escapees out of Iran was dropped into the lap of CIA expert getter-outer Tony Mendez; the movie is based on his book.
There are lots of sources online with more detail of the story, as well as the Wiki link above. I'll refrain from giving away more than any passing reader might already know if around in the late 1970s when the events happened. For anyone, like me, with no memory of what went on, there's a very clear introduction in the first frames of the movie, narrating background history and lead-up to the point at which the movie begins. I thought this was a very good way to introduce younger viewers to the history of what remains a very important on-going problem area of the Middle East.
The movie was well handled, in my opinion. I understand though, from later reading, that some Canadians weren't too happy about certain aspects of the way the story was presented, in relation especially to the Canadian Ambassador's role in events. Ben Affleck saw to it that at least one of the Canadian objections was addressed before wide release of the movie.
Argo was a movie, after all, not a documentary. There were scenes which didn't happen in real life, there was humour emanating from supporting characters, particularly when the Hollywood crowd hove into view. Situations and remarks which seemed comical when viewed from the safety of a cinema seat may not have seemed nearly as funny in the real life situations.
There's interesting information about the real Tony Mendez in this Washington Post Lifestyle article, with a photograph of him with Ben Affleck and the six escapees.
I'd love to know the birth date/place/time of Tony Mendez to see how well astrology fits. So far I've only been able to find "1940". Not enough. His talent for disguise, ingenuity, quick thinking and extreme adventure seems to me to be a blend of Gemini/Sagittarius with Neptune prominent.
There are lots of sources online with more detail of the story, as well as the Wiki link above. I'll refrain from giving away more than any passing reader might already know if around in the late 1970s when the events happened. For anyone, like me, with no memory of what went on, there's a very clear introduction in the first frames of the movie, narrating background history and lead-up to the point at which the movie begins. I thought this was a very good way to introduce younger viewers to the history of what remains a very important on-going problem area of the Middle East.
The movie was well handled, in my opinion. I understand though, from later reading, that some Canadians weren't too happy about certain aspects of the way the story was presented, in relation especially to the Canadian Ambassador's role in events. Ben Affleck saw to it that at least one of the Canadian objections was addressed before wide release of the movie.
Argo was a movie, after all, not a documentary. There were scenes which didn't happen in real life, there was humour emanating from supporting characters, particularly when the Hollywood crowd hove into view. Situations and remarks which seemed comical when viewed from the safety of a cinema seat may not have seemed nearly as funny in the real life situations.
There's interesting information about the real Tony Mendez in this Washington Post Lifestyle article, with a photograph of him with Ben Affleck and the six escapees.
I'd love to know the birth date/place/time of Tony Mendez to see how well astrology fits. So far I've only been able to find "1940". Not enough. His talent for disguise, ingenuity, quick thinking and extreme adventure seems to me to be a blend of Gemini/Sagittarius with Neptune prominent.
On my list, I remember it well. Though from what I hear (and you mention) the Canadian role was played down while the USian was played up.
ReplyDeletePar for the course...:)
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I have not watched that film but it may appear to have two interesting topics contained in it: The first, is the Hollywood amoral film world, perhaps the most evident it may appear, considered the reactions to the film I could read up to now; The second is Iran in the time of its dark revolution.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting to be pondered both but especially, in point of view, the second topic, considered how it influenced the spreading of religious Islamic integralism and considered in the pale light of today political events and their dark impending shadow...
I do understand the Eastern crowds, so deprived of any hope but ta the same time slow to be moved but terrible when moved, and so open to rage. You must have seen and watched and perceived them in order to understand. This is not a justification but only an attempt to understand their behaviour...
The dark belly of teh Empire, the underworld: All this remembers me that Dostoevskij’s ol’ book, “Notes from Underground”, the “Underground” of an Empire Of Ye Olde like Persian’s, ready to be moved like an earthquake.
After the earthquake life’s returned to the ol’ situation bu’ the new governors are as irremovable - or even more!! - than the former existing ones...
An’ life’s returned to be without hope, with no hope again and again... And again and again, ready only for next earthquake, dark, from the underground, evoked by some jinn of revenge, a dark angel of vengeance...
In the great turmoils of political arena a strange lack of sound dominates. After the big turmoils there is instead a strange sadness that nothing’s really changed...
And so it is, he ideals hacve always been betrayed, and ever will be betrayed...
We saw this script even in Russian Revolution which was in something very similar to Iranian Revolution
Wisewebwoman ~~ Yes the Canadian role, though explained clearly, was played down, mainly to provide more dramatic effect in presenting the story of the actual escape, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteChomp ~~ Hollywood's involvement in this true story was key to being able to get the 6 people out of Iran, so what can at times seem amoral about the film industry, in this case did work for good. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe crowd scenes in the film were especially un-nerving and unsettling Chomp, and very well done.
I realise that people of those ethnic roots are more passionate by far than people, like me, of a quieter western nature.
Empires of one stripe or another have been cruel to those peoples over the centuries - I don't wonder at all that they feel abused and used. As you say, they strive to better their situation, only to find that when their revolutions die down, they are no better off, betrayed once again.
I feel terribly sad for them.
Well it is far more complicated than an issue of being passionate...
ReplyDeleteIt is far more an issue of betrayed hopes, as you said...
But what I personally am interested in is not to judge, but to understand, and it is clear that those underworlds are difficult to be understood...
It is difficult to us to depict the inner mental state of people involved in those situations of life...
Anyway let me simply add that the underworlds do exist even inside the West, unseen and too many times unperceived...
Chomp ~~ Sorry, yes, I ought to have written that their more innately passionate nature allows the people of that part of the world to react to and express their anger and disappointment when betrayed.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do agree that it's almost impossible for those outside of the situation to properly understand how they feel.
By "underworlds" Chomp, I think you refer to the under-privileged? Am I right?
(The term "underworld" especially in the USA, has picked up other connotions relating to crime, and I didn't want any future reader to get the wrong idea. :-)