Iran’s ‘Argo’ Lawsuit Will Include More US Films

Iran’s proposed lawsuit against Argo and Hollywood will reportedly include more US films.

French lawyer Isabelle Coutant-Peyre said the country’s case against the movie industry will include more motion pictures that portray the government and its people in a negative light.

“I’ll be defending Iran against films that have been made by Hollywood to distort the country’s image, such as ‘Argo,'” the lawyer explained. She added that the US was guilty of spreading “Iranophobia” around the world.

In addition to director and star Ben Affleck’s award-winning feature, Iran officials have taken issue with Zack Snyder’s 300, the Sally Field drama Not Without My Daughter, and Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler.

Members of the Iranian government attended a screening of Argo during the recent “Hoax of Hollywood” conference. A statement released shortly after the viewing called the film a “violation of international cultural norms.”

Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Mohammad Hosseini openly criticized Affleck’s film shortly after the movie won Best Picture at the Academy Awards last month. Hosseini referred to the story as an “advertisement” for the United States and the CIA.

“This anti-Iran film lacks any artistic aspects and it is a very weak film from an artistic perspective and we don’t expect anything else from the enemy,” he added.

“The Iranophobic American movie attempts to describe Iranians as overemotional, irrational, insane, and diabolical while at the same, the CIA agents are represented as heroically patriotic,” Iran’s Press TV said about the controversial movie.

Although Isabelle Coutant-Peyre intends to move forward with the lawsuit against Hollywood, Argo, and several other anti-Iran movies, it’s unclear how the case will be handled.

In an effort to tell their side of the Argo story, filmmakers in Iran intend to put together a “response” to Affleck’s endeavor. The General Staff is expected to begin production at some point this year.

What do you think about Iran’s lawsuit against Hollywood and Argo? Do you think the country should be able to sue for being portrayed in a negative light?