Pearse and Tom round off season 1 looking at the 2012 Oscar winning historical drama Argo, which is based on a real life exfiltration operation during the Iranian revolution. We discuss the CIA’s almost too-obvious involvement in the film, the background of how the story was declassified and turned into a movie including the shadowy figures of producer David Klawans and writer Chris Terrio. We stick the boot into Ben Affleck and his film, not just for its ‘Reel Bad Arabs’ racism but also its outrageous and possibly intentional historical inaccuracy. We analyse the weirdest Oscars ceremony ever, where Argo producers Affleck, George Clooney and Grant Heslov won the Best Picture award, before wrapping up by reflecting back on season 1 of this series and briefly looking forward to season 2.
Download The CIA and Hollywood ep. 7
Show Notes:
Argo (full film)
Argo Declassified
The CIA and Hollywood connection – Argo making of
Argo: Inside story
A Classic Case of Deception
How the CIA used a fake sci-fi flick to rescue Americans from Tehran
Jimmy Carter on Argo film
Ben Affleck changes postscript for Ken Taylor
Ben Affleck’s new film ‘Argo’ upsets British diplomats who helped Americans in Iran
New Zealand’s role in Iran crisis tainted in Affleck’s new film
Argo commentary and Q&A with Tony and Jonna Mendez
Ben Affleck Oscar speech