I was shocked that Argo won the Bafta for Best Picture yesterday. For those who haven't seen it, Argo tells the story of how six American diplomats were smuggled out of Iran in 1979 following the fall of the Shah. There's no doubt it's a ripping yarn – you can read the magazine article that inspired the film here– but the director Ben Affleck has completely ignored the role of the British in the whole affair.
In the film, the six Americans are shunned by the majority of their diplomatic colleagues after they make their escape from the US Embassy compound. "Brits turned them away, Kiwis turned them away," says a senior CIA officer played by Bryan Cranston. In fact, they were given sanctuary when they turned up at the British Embassy's summer compound in Northern Tehran and various New Zealand officials were instrumental in spiriting the Americans out of the country. (To read more, click here.)
Re: Affleck
Posted by Amory Blaine on 18-02-2013 19:28:
Ben Affleck is typical of new class of that now governs America. Shallow, pseudo-intellectual, insulated from the rest of world in places like LA and the Northeast corridor. In his red carpet interview at the BAFTAs, he was asked about Stephen Fry. It was clear that he had no idea who Fry was. What an idiot.
Re: Affleck
Posted by Amory Blaine on 18-02-2013 20:50:
Ben Affleck is typical of new class of that now governs America. Shallow, pseudo-intellectual, insulated from the rest of world in places like LA and the Northeast corridor. In his red carpet interview at the BAFTAs, he was asked about Stephen Fry. It was clear that he had no idea who Fry was. What an idiot.
Re: Bafta
Posted by GOM on 25-02-2013 10:41:
Well, it's got an Oscar now!
@pamalahardman You sure he doesn't just stay in character off camera -- like a method actor? (2 hours ago)
