Iran Scoffs At ‘Argo’ Win; Canada Pleased With Recognition

Canada was happy that Ben Affleck acknowledged them in his acceptance speech, but Iran blasted the victory.

The former Canadian ambassador to Iran who protected Americans at great personal risk during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis says it was good to hear Affleck thank Canada after “Argo’s” win.

“Argo” came under criticism from some Canadians, including former ambassador Ken Taylor, who said he felt slighted by the movie because it makes Canada look like a meek observer to CIA heroics. Taylor says it minimizes Canada’s role in the Americans’ rescue.

Taylor had hoped Affleck would acknowledge Canada’s role. Affleck briefly thanked Canada in his acceptance speech Sunday.

Taylor said Monday he was pleased to hear it and said under the circumstances it was fine…

Meanwhile, Iran’s state TV dismissed “Argo” on Monday as an “advertisement for the CIA” and some Iranians called the award a political statement by America for its unflattering portrayal of the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

But there is a generational divide in Iran.

“I want to know what the other side is saying,” said Shieda, a 21-year-old University of Tehran student, who gave only her first name to avoid possible backlash for speaking with foreign media.

Tehran City Council member Masoomeh Ebtekar — who was one of the students who occupied the US Embassy and acted as the Iranian students’ spokeswoman — says the film exaggerates the violence among crowds that stormed the compound in November 1979.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.