Ben Affleck in Argo

Argo follows the partnership of the governments of the United States and Canada in the efforts to rescue six U.S. service members who had evaded being caught and roped into the hostage situation that played out at the American embassy in Tehran, Iran, during 1979. The film poster claims that the screenplay is based on a declassified true story and two books; ‘The Master of Disguise’ by Antonio J. Mendez (Tony Mendez) and ‘The Great Escape’ written by Joshuah Bearman. Mendez is a former CIA technical operations officer and also the author of two books, both memoirs of his CIA experiences. What’s more is that he was directly involved with Iran Hostage Crisis, helping to smuggle the six American diplomats out of Iran by disguising them as Canadian film crew members. Bearman, on the other hand, is a prolific writer and his article for Wired magazine ‘The Great Escape’ was selected as part of the basis to the screenplay.

The title ‘Argo’ is actually the name of the fake film that the six diplomats are supposed to be working on, assisting in their escape. Ben plays Tony Mendez in the film, playing the man behind the plan that would eventually lead to a successful rescue.

It has been two years since Ben Affleck has either been on or brought something to the big screen and, with the subject matter at hand, he will return with a bang. His last feature length was ‘The Town’ (2010) which he starred in and also directed but it is ‘Argo’ that will really establish Affleck as a director. Featuring government agents, Hollywood Studios and a fake science fiction movie, the actual events of the hostage crisis, of which many details were kept unknown to the public for decades, sound as if they are the invention of a scriptwriter. But, this is a subject can’t be taken lightly which, judging by the trailer, Ben has managed well, integrating moments of brief wit into a film that deals with more than just the result political tension.

Monica Bellucci in Rhino Season

It isn’t only Ben Affleck who is exploring the politics and history of the Iranian Revolution, actress and Dolce&Gabbana testimonial Monica Belluci stars in ‘Rhino Season’; a film that has been described as a love story in context of the political changes from before the Iranian Revolution to the present. Swide had a chance to talk to the star about her role and you can watch the interview by clicking the banner below.