Reports: Iran mulls suing Hollywood over "Argo"

Late '70s fashion made a comeback in the drama "Argo," starring Alan Arkin and Ben Affleck. Jacqueline West was a Costume Designers Guild award nominee in the period category. / Warner Brothers

Iranian media say authorities are planning to sue Hollywood over the Oscar-winning "Argo" because of the movie's allegedly "unrealistic portrayal" of the country.

• Iran dismisses "Argo" best picture Oscar
• Ben Affleck on "Argo," CIA mission in Irans

Several news outlets, including the pro-reform Shargh daily, said on Tuesday that French lawyer Isabelle Coutant-Peyre is in Iran for talks with officials over how and where to file the lawsuit. Coutant-Peyre is also the lawyer for notorious Venezuelan-born terrorist Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, known as Carlos the Jackal.

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Ben Affleck on playing real-life CIA agent

The decision on the lawsuit came after a group of Iranian cultural officials and movie critics screened the film in a closed audience in a Tehran theater late Monday.

Iranian officials in February dismissed "Argo" as pro-CIA, anti-Iran propaganda.

The movie, starring Ben Affleck, is based on the escape of six American hostages from the besieged U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979. It beat out eight other contenders for this year's Best Picture honor at the Academy Awards, including the critically-acclaimed "Lincoln." Affleck, who also directed the movie, based his role on former CIA agent Tony Mendez.

[saucymugwump]

"the movie's allegedly 'unrealistic portrayal'"

Other than a handful of movies like "A Bridge Too Far" and "The Longest Day," when has Hollywood ever had realistic portrayals?

[KPeters_from_UK]

Oh please, do try to sue. It would be so enjoyable watch Iran's face bleed.

[filmguy107]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!! Seriously?????

[sy2502]

Great, now the Muslim world invented another stupid excuse for more violence and flag burning.

[avacondo]

If anyone should sue, it should be the Canadians. The whole deal was their operation - the US had nothing to do with it.

[Hilogreg]

Actually as someone married to a Canadian whose family is in politics up north I can say with certainty that while the movie underplayed Canadian involvement this was a CIA operation from beginning to end. Logistically the Canadians deserve much credit for sheltering the Americans at great risk, being the communication conduit and providing the passports for the rescue. Remember when the rescue occurred the other American embassy employees were still held hostage and the CIA wanted no credit for the plot that was hatched which stayed buried for more than 20 years.

[KPeters_from_UK]

The movie U-571 took all the credit from the BRITISH capturing the first enigma machine and turned it into a Hollywood film with AMERICANS capturing it.

[Zippy_Doo]

LOL, thanks for the laugh.

[dj_chi]

The US victims should revisit the lawsuit over damages from the crisis. I read that the government was worried about the effect of the lawsuit on relations with Iran. Maybe their lawsuit is a good opportunity to rethink ours.

[HM8432]

Those crazy Muslims fools probably don't see a single thing wrong with what they did or how they acted in 1979. I hope this case does go to court so the Iranian government can be further publicly humilitated and shamed.

[wtcmedic911]

I recall that time well. Muslim countries still turn into savages when they are offended. Only makes sense the spineless french would be helping them. Dont believe me? post something that slanders or pokes fun at islam. Time for that religion to evolve.

[KPeters_from_UK]

Only weak societies and religions turn hysterical when offended. If they were strong and confident it wouldn't matter what insults flew at them.

[saucymugwump]

By the "spineless french [sic]" you must be referring to a single French lawyer. Maybe you can enlighten us with your general description of Americans, as many American lawyers have defended child molesters, mass killers, and terrorists.

And while you are at it, you can do an Internet search on "France Mali" where you will discover how France is currently at war with Islamists in a country very similar to Afghanistan.

[BrunoBuhr]

I wish Israel would hurry up and just bomb the crap out of Iran....don't forget the mullahs and ayafukolla!