What Is The Moral Of The Movie Argo

Movie Title: Argo
Summary
Argo was a film released in 2012 that talks about the invasion of the American embassy in Tehran, Iran, during the Iranian revolutionaries in 1979. During the invasion of the embassy, six Americans managed to escape while the others were held hostages. The six Americans managed to seek shelter under the official residence of the Canadian Ambassador. Together with the Canadian government and the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), a plan was discussed to save the six Americans out of Iran. Tony Mendez, an exfiltrate expert, starred by Ben Affleck, came up with a daring idea, which is to set up a fake Canadian film project that is looking for shooting scenes in Iran with intentions of smuggling the Americans out as
the production crew. Having worked with many consultants in the entertainment industry, Mendez turned to John Chambers, starred by John Goodman, for help. The Canadian authorities assisted in producing fake passports for the six Americans and Mendez. Having the full ploy set up, Mendez started his mission and went to Iran as an associate producer for the film. Upon meeting the six Americans, Mendez had to persuade them that his plan was the only choice as the Iranians were already suspicious of the Canadian ambassador. In the mids of the escape plan, Mendez was asked to cancel it upon learning that USA was planning a military strike but he went against the orders. Despite all odds they faced in the airport checkpoints, Mendez managed to rescue all six Americans out of Iran and was awarded the CIA’s highest honour, the Intelligence Star. Moral issues
The movie, being a reenactment of the actual situation, here are some questions for us to ponder on.
Firstly, does the film actually provide a better understanding to viewers of such important historical event as how they did occur? Based on my understanding, there were actually some differences between the movie and the actual situation. I personally feel that the film had failed to portray the importance of Ambassador Kenneth D. Taylor and the Canadian government. Ambassador Taylor risked his and his wife’s life housing the diplomats and was coordinating with the authorities to save the six Americans. Clearly, without Ambassador Taylor’s help, the six Americans would not have a shelter to avoid from the Iranians and the United States will not know the existence of this six Americans that managed to escape. Tony Mendez did deserve all praises even though it was his duty but afterall, he was one that came up with the plan and executed his plan personally. He risked himself first of being caught by the Iranian officials even before he saved any of the Americans, as he had to travel into Tehran, Iran, facing the messy situation with no help or
support.
Secondly, there was a part where the revolutionary intelligence officer questioned Sahar, the housemaid of the Ambassador Taylor’s home, how long had the guests been staying.
Sahar knew the identities of the guests but she did not betray the trust that they had on her even though they did doubt her. As an Iranian herself, she portrayed a different form of Iranian as compared to those violent and aggressive Iranians that were angered by the actions of the United States. Sahar also risked her chance from becoming a citizen of the Rebublic of Iraq if they find out that she actually covered for the Canadians that they hid the Americans in the house. I feel that the film showed too many negative sides of the Iranians and it would have caused more negative impression about the Iranians as people only heard what they did but visualizing them will leave a deeper
impression.
Thirdly, many would have thought that the intention of the CIA to set up fake production firm, named Studio Six Productions, having actual scripts to cover the story and going to the extend to create fake Canadian identities for the diplomats were just to deceive the Iranian securities. However, the first targeted audience was the six Americans. The CIA had to convince them that their plan will work and also to build up their own confidence to carry out the plan. Ultimately, if any Iranian security were to check on them, they had everything prepared.
Lastly, I wonder if the release of Argo was an American propaganda. The tension between United States and Iran had always been inconsistent since the Islamic revolution or Iranian revolution. On 11th January 2012, there was a bombing incident where a nuclear scientist, Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, 32, a professor at a technical university in Tehran and a supervisor at the Natanz plant, and his bodyguard was killed. The Iran accused Israel and United States for the attack. Thereafter, Argo was released in theatres of United States on 12th October 2012. From my perspective, this was an American propaganda used against the Iranians. Works Cited
Argo Movie True Story - Meet the Real Tony Mendez and the 6 Americans. (n.d.). Retrieved February 26, 2016, from http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/argo.php
Heroine of ‘Argo’ is Iranian housekeeper. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2016, from http://iran-times.com/heroine-of-argo-is-iranian-housekeeper/
Shimmin, G. (2013). Argo: Movie Review. Retrieved February 26, 2016, from http://graemeshimmin.com/argo-movie-review/
Iran, the United States and a Political Seesaw. (2012). Retrieved February 27, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/04/07/world/middleeast/iran-timeline.html#/#time5_209
Woodson, A. (2013, April 3). Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Argo" Retrieved February 27, 2016, from http://www.carnegiecouncil.org/publications/ethics_onfilm/0008.html