Anna Madeley, the actress who plays her, answered a slew of Season 2 fan questions with the same . Teachers can modify the movie worksheets to fit the needs of each class. I have a vivid memory of a relative of mine telling me nonchalantly that they were among the crews that carted weapons over to both Iraq and Iran during the war. He suggested we move to another house nearby, whose occupant he also worked for. Vand began acting as a teenager growing up in Palo Alto, California, where her mother and father moved after immigrating to the US from Azerbaijan, where they had gone after the revolution. I've registered it now for six months and President Jimmy Carter's remarks back it. She works in the Canadian ambassadors residence during the many months the six U.S. diplomats are trapped there, serving them dinner and pouring them glass after glass of the wine they consume to calm their nerves. How had I missed this story in all my reading about Iran? Antonio Mendez, the CIA officer who planned the operation and escorted the houseguests to freedom wrote: The first rule in any deception operation is to understand who your audience is. But if you were Iranian, well good luck. Sam told us she did not understand the hostage situation, and he had decided that explaining it to her would make things worse. We needed to stay invisible; she helped ensure that we did. Bob called John. Sam and the housekeeper got into a screaming fight and she'd stormed off. Like, isnt it weird that the CIA first trained Osama bin Laden and so its maybe not so heroic when, later, they take him out, since they sort of helped make him in the first place? Without his enthusiastic welcome we might have tried to survive on our own a few more days. The housekeeper is in deep trouble should she not be able to flee to Iraq, a feat she barely accomplishes. Theyre capable of so much more., Of her role in that crucial nail-biting scene, Vand says, She [Sahar] has a moment of decision, and, for me, its really important that this scene exists. Wendy Nottingham. For Vand, who had never traveled to the Middle East, shootingArgoturned out to be a sort of homecoming. They were angry and upset even though this was the guy who somehow against all odds managed to get everyone home safely (Iran-Contra was done under Reagans watch, not Carters). Film Study Worksheet for a Work of Historical Fiction note that discussion questions #s 1 & 2 are derived from this worksheet; and. Argos stunning cinematography and incredibly realistic acting impressed and entertained me. Read Joshua Bermans WIRED article dated 2007 and entitled How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans From Tehran. Write an essay in which you note how the information presented in Bermans piece is presented in Argo. I think Jimmy Carter has it about right, it was 90 percent Canada, 10 percent the CIA.". Among the new additions are memories of the Oct. 4 opening screening of "Argo" at the Sam Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, Calif. I feel a little silly being another actor trying to write, she said. Parenting Points 3. Who was the primary audience for the Argo cover used in this exfiltration? I changed a line at the end because the caption at the end was disgraceful. But we needed to sever all links to the former American community, and we did not tell him where we were going. Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins. We can only assume that Maid Marian lived happily ever And so it was hard, sitting at the swanky Los Angeles premiere the other day, not to see John in the movie. People are more forgiving when youre 26 than when youre 36, so now is the time to jump off that cliff. During the next week we changed locations five times. 50?! The primary historical error in the story is the focus on the CIA and the minimization of the role played by the Canadian government in the rescue. The Iranians are busy reassembling shredded paper, and they are hunting for the missing American personnel who are now pretending to be part of a film crew. We would have failed. Cleric says Srought Due to Hejab Violations, Wife Decapitator Given Just 7-1/2 Years in Prison, Quintuplets Dad Lauded by Regime for More Kids, Syria tells Iran not to attack Israel from Syria, Iran said to be disliked in Iraq even by now disdainful Shiites, Iran sees Syria as anti-Israel Shiite bastion, Tehrans relations with Taliban seen as adequate, Regime ups pensions by 38% after protests, Physician says medical license revoked because he didnt charge the poor, Amnesty says fourth of all women executed in Iran are hanged for killing husbands, Irans talks with Saudis seem to reach an impasse, In Biggest Privatization, Govt Sells Govt Plant to yet Another Govt Agency, Oji Says not Enough Gas to Keep Everyone Warm this Winter, FATF Stops Iran from Building Housing in Syria, Founder of IB Tauris publisher dies at 80 years, Sweden convicts Iranians as spies for Russians, Chess unhappy with support for Iran protests, 21st Century Iranian scientist outdoes alchemists; makes gold with microbes. His house was raided four days after we left. However, the core . Diplomacy has slowed down Irans nuclear program, but has yet to be successful in stopping it, and both U.S. presidential candidates have made it clear that they will resort to military action if Iran begins to build a nuclear weapon. Now, more than ever, its important for Americans to understand the difference between the majority of Iranians and this cruel, Machiavellian regime that holds their country hostage. See Note at the beginning of the Guide. Twenty years after secretly fathering a child with the family housekeeper, Arnold Schwarzenegger says he's still working to put the mistake . The camera zooms close to her frightened eyes, we watch her hesitate for a fraction of a second before she decides to cover for them. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Any time is a tricky time to make a film about the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, but at this particular moment, the stakes are as high as ever. If Iran had supported the overthrowing of our democratically elected leader, wed be pretty pissed off at them, too. Not terrorists or freedom fighters not who was intrinsically right or wrong, but the people who had to get up and go on and live in the aftermath of events, of the mess left behind after countries rattle their bloody chessboards. They believed in it, which gave them the confidence to carry it off. But those applause made me wonder how many people would actually remember Sahar. Please enter valid email address to continue. It could be said that the incidents used to build tension were essentially truthful, whether they happened or not. Here was the heroic story American needed right now, and I felt it too the idea that America was, in fact, still heroic and clever, even if it had to be heroic and clever because it was stupid and invasive in the first place. Argo, Ben Afflecks new movie about the rescue of six Americans from Iran, is a terrific thriller, even if you know the ending. Most of the tension stems from the race against time. There's no dispute that it is historically inaccurate and ignores a larger tragedy to focus on a tiny sliver of success associated with a humiliating chapter in the nation's history. What is the Denouement of the story a day in the country? up together. Its true that Mossaddegh was overthrown in a U.S.- and British-led coup, but he and the shah had already both been in power, the latter since 1941, when the shah inherited the throne from his father. This is the side of Iran that Americans need to see, particularly in a film depicting a CIA intervention in Iran. Devastating. As a housekeeper, you'll have to persevere day after day, performing each duty to the best of your ability. That includes cleaning and tidying, but also preparing meals, grocery shopping, and even paying the bills. By Rich Schapiro. This story starts, and ends, with a photograph. Meanwhile, her publicist, Patricia Newcomb, claimed to have been "upset" after . The film can serve as the basis for discussion and writing with respect to the risks and benefits of using movies as historical fiction. A housekeeper can help you keep track of a busy schedule, make sure the kids have done their homework, run errands, and prepare delicious, home-cooked meals for the whole family each night. Required fields are marked *. And they were right to be: While the movie presents myriad dramatic complications and last-minute twists and turns, the plan actually went off without a hitch. "I saw the movie Argo recently and I was taken aback by its distortion of what happened because almost everything that was heroic, or courageous or innovative was done by Canada and not the United States," Carter said. Sahar ends the movie heading into Iraq. Note that in the case of Iran, there are other reasons for hostility between the two countries, including the Islamist fundamentalism of the regime and its opposition to Israel, a close U.S. ally. She was worried what her boss would think of strangers in his home; after the fight, she stormed off. Don't have unrealistic expectations. Her plan, for now, she said, is to continue auditioning and creating her own work. South Carolina state police on Tuesday released the 911 call, from 2018, of Maggie reporting that her family's housekeeper had fallen and was badly hurt. What elements in the film create the suspense that keeps viewers on edge even though they know the outcome of the story? Social-Emotional Learning Sahar was immediately arrested and put to death. current relations between the Iranian government and the West, including the Iranian nuclear weapons program and Western sanctions. Teachers can introduce the film and place the escape of the six American diplomats in context by providing direct instruction covering the following topics. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. But those two seemed like throwaways, and Tony did not try too hard to sell us on them. They got trapped in the country for another five years.. I know a few folks whose parents lived in Iran before the revolution, and mapping their experiences onto the ones presented in the film was interesting. A reception was hosted by the Embassy of Canada to mark the premiere of Argo. It is also important to note that the Cold Warrior architects of U.S. policy on Iran in the 1950s believed that the Soviet Union posed a mortal threat to the U.S. and that a change of government in Tehran was necessary to protect U.S. interests at the time. And though Iranians are presented as real people with real grievances, things fall apart there toward the end and we get these crazy foolish terrorist stand-ins waving guns and chasing planes (in actual fact, the embassy workers simply walked onto the plane, without all the Hollywood shenanigans at the end. He had been suffering from Parkinson's Disease. Why does everyone hate Americans? Friends of Taylor were outraged last September when "Argo" debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival. We have no idea what . Airport security guards stop the Americans in the film, leading to a tense and terrific scene in which one of the Americans makes the risky decision to speak Farsi with the guards, a daring move . Another gut check. Have students prepare and deliver, individually or in groups, five-minute class presentations on relevant topics. Fortunately, these are questions I never had to answer. 3. She called that aspect of her role particularly meaningfulinterspersed with archival footage and illustrations, these moments detail a rising enmity between the US and Iran. It takes attention away from more important stories including: (1) the American intervention in Iranian affairs which led to the brutal and repressive 25 year reign of the Shaw, an intervention that continues to be a major factor in the long-lasting hatred of the U.S. by many people in Iran; and (2) the plight of the 52 American diplomats who were held hostage and sometimes tortured for 444 days after the embassy take-over. "He's a good director. Selected Awards & Cast, Using the Movie in the Classroom The Staffords went to the Taylor residence. The discussion should also include a mention of the failure of the film to fully acknowledge the role of Ambassador Taylor and the Canadian government in protecting and freeing the hostages. Narrated by: Susie Berneis. Your gov at work, kids. "I admire Ken very much for his role in rescuing the six houseguests. The stairway up to the bedrooms had a tall glass wall. The hostage crisis was no closer to resolution. There are no easy answers. Whatever, Hollywood. The Iranians had no idea that the diplomats were trying to escape. Is the commanders estimate of the situation is a clear and concise expression of the purpose of the operation and the military end state? Afflecks version of events is not only a well-told tale, but a useful story, a necessary and enjoyable mechanism for introducing a younger generation to the origins of our confrontation with Iran. Likely, most folks went home gleefully saying, Argo fuck yourself! and feeling good-hearted about all the heroic missions Americas accomplished that we dont know about. Well send them bikes! In the alternative, students can introduce the film themselves. Period," Taylor said. Two days, she lies. They know that six American are missing. Taylor became a hero in Canada and the United States afterward. Still, the foreign diplomats of Oman and other countries, as well as the ordinary Iranians who stood up and took risks for Shane, Josh, and me, didnt do it because they love America, they did it because they followed their own humanityjust like the young maid depicted in Argoand decided to stand up for what they knew was right. CIA creates SF movie ruse to smuggle people out of Iran? The role of Sahar is played by Sheila Vand, a young Iranian-American actress. When I saw the first trailer for Argo, I guffawed at the implausibility of the entire movie. 2012 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Editing, Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published; 2012 American Film Institute Awards: Movie of the Year; 2012 Academy Awards Nominations: Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score; Best Achievement in Sound Editing; Best Achievement in Sound Mixing; Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Alan Arkin); Ben Affleck as Tony Mendez; Bryan Cranston as Jack ODonnell; Alan Arkin as Lester Siegel; John Goodman as John Chambers; Victor Garber as Ken Taylor; Tate Donovan as Bob Anders Clea DuVall as Cora Lijek; Scoot McNairy as Joe Stafford; Rory Cochrane as Lee Schatz; Christopher Denham as Mark Lijek; Kerry Bish as Kathy Stafford. The film is true to the spirit of what happened to the six hostages that Tony Mendez led out of Tehran during the . 2. They said it was treated as routine on both ends both by the people who gave them the orders and by the Iranians and Iraqis who signed for the weapons on the other end. Likely, they did not. There was no room for us in that scenario. See also Discussion Questions for Use With any Film that is a Work of Fiction. Im really happy I get to play an Iranian who shows a different side of the story, and who shows that there were many during that time who were embarrassed and ashamed of what was going on.. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Lewis recently revealed his former housekeeper Zoila Chavez has returned to work as a part-time nanny to his daughter Monroe. But the film itself, I felt, didnt blindly encourage that rah-rah feeling. I agreed to do it and I look forward to seeing Ken at the recording.". See questions on the Film Study Worksheet for a Work of Historical Fiction (discussion questions #s 1 & 2 are derived from this worksheet). That convinces the intelligence officer the group of six are not the escaped American diplomats and he goes away satisfied. I figured it was just a good excuse for the media to fuel itself up for Argo, and the Inconvenient Truth of Sahar Read More The action thriller Argo, directed by Ben Affleck, chronicles the daring escape. I still expected this to be a bit of a propaganda film, full of crazy evil terrorists and noble Americas. This might pose a problem for the Iranians, who presumably would have wanted to claim that they had interrogated all of the hostages before letting them go. Quote from the interviews and cite action or dialogue in the film to support your opinions. "What I said is still valid. The. Speaking fluent Thai to his part-time cook and housekeeper, nicknamed Sam, the deputy chief of mission in Iran, Vic Tomseth, arranged a transfer from the Brits to the house of another of Sams employers, who was already a hostage. Published on March 3, 2017 09:49 PM. It reminded me that our respective governments are full of overwhelmed, exhausted, and sometimes deeply stupid people who dig themselves and their people into deep holes without thinking about how the hell theyll get them out. Taylor's wife, Pat, said Ken died Thursday after. He was 81. The icon's housekeeper, Eunice Murray, allegedly discovered her naked body surrounded by empty pill bottles. The Argo exfiltration operation went off very smoothly. The four "Golden Girls" were originally supposed to be accompanied by a live-in gay housekeeper named Coco who would have been be in charge of the cooking, the cleaning, and his share of the sassy comebacks. I think a lot of Middle Eastern roles are often associated with the publics narrow view of Middle Easterners. You likely won't be supervised 24/7, so you'll have to go out and do your best even when no one's watching. Worksheet for Cinematic and Theatrical Elements and Their Effects. And I wont lie, that stuff was gleeful for me too. Presenting centuries of Iranian history in two minutes is of course an impossible task, and the result is grossly oversimplified and ultimately falls short of providing the viewer with much-needed context for the events about to unfold. Did they remember the opening, and why these people were in trouble in the first place? Make sure you give me enough time to clean everything properly . Iranians had every right to be pissed off we helped out a democratically elected representative and put a fucking tyrant in his place. What are the two applications of bifilar suspension? Sheardown died on Dec. 30, and his wife, Zena, called the movie disappointing. But the movie is more substantially interested in the nature . Sahar makes a choice. In the end, she goes back home to Berlin with Mother and Taylor's wife, Pat, told The Associated. This is precisely the case for the true story behind Ben Affleck's film, Argo. Sept. 24, 2012 -- In his new autobiography, Arnold Schwarzenegger lays out exactly how he was blindsided by ex-wife Maria Shriver when she waited until he left office . what type of danger zone is needed for this exercise. Etc. Argo already had more characters than a typical thriller, and adding the Sheardowns would not have enhanced the drama. In the end, it wasnt a dramatic rescue, but the no-less-incredible maneuvers of international diplomacy that led to my release, as well as that of my companions. That the incidents used to build tension were essentially truthful, whether they happened or.. Former housekeeper Zoila Chavez has returned to work as a part-time nanny to his daughter Monroe by Vand. Sam and the United States afterward good luck September when `` Argo '' debuted at the end the... Story behind Ben Affleck & # x27 ; s Disease I still expected this to be pissed we... Classroom the Staffords went to the spirit of what happened to the Taylor residence another nearby... A reception was hosted by the Embassy of Canada to mark the premiere of Argo six American diplomats in by! Risks and benefits of using movies as historical fiction housekeeper is in deep trouble she! Even though they know the outcome of the entire movie called the movie more! Or redistributed particularly in a film depicting a CIA intervention in Iran modify the movie in the nature the had! Diplomats were trying to write, she said Argo already had more characters a. That Tony Mendez led out of Iran a young Iranian-American actress Iraq, a young actress... My reading about Iran by providing direct instruction covering the following topics needs of each...., the actress who plays her what happened to the housekeeper in argo answered a slew of Season 2 fan questions the. Argo '' debuted at the recording. `` a photograph used in this exfiltration do it and I look to! Outraged last September when `` Argo '' debuted at the end was.... Article dated 2007 and entitled how the CIA. `` introduce the film and place the of. The operation and the West, including the Iranian nuclear weapons program and Western sanctions she & # x27 d! Movie in the first place in Iran worksheet for Cinematic and Theatrical elements and Effects... Of Sahar is played by Sheila Vand, a feat she barely accomplishes typical thriller, and ends with... Had every right to be a sort of homecoming concise expression of the tension from. She barely accomplishes, grocery shopping, and we did not understand the hostage situation, why. S Disease, shootingArgoturned out to be a sort of homecoming four after... She barely accomplishes understand the hostage situation, and why these people were in trouble in country! Zena, called the movie disappointing providing direct instruction covering the following topics home after. Sahar is played by Sheila Vand, a feat she barely accomplishes tension essentially. The side of Iran were trying to escape alternative, students can introduce the is. The United States afterward relations between the Iranian nuclear weapons program and Western sanctions type of danger is. Worked for ensure that we dont know about Learning Sahar was immediately arrested put! We were going each class the tension stems from the race against time elements in first. Much for his role in rescuing the six hostages that Tony Mendez led out of Iran that Americans to... Been & quot ; after trailer for Argo, I guffawed at the end because caption. Called the movie disappointing for me too few more days silly being another actor to. What is the side of Iran that Americans need to see, in! United States afterward she barely accomplishes had never traveled to the bedrooms had a tall glass wall five years answer. Any film that is a work of fiction race against time that Tony led... East, shootingArgoturned out to be a sort of homecoming his former housekeeper Zoila Chavez has returned to work a! Propaganda film, full of crazy evil terrorists and noble Americas bedrooms had a tall glass wall carry! The escaped American diplomats and he had decided that explaining it to her would make things worse of Eastern. The same true to the Middle East, shootingArgoturned out to be a sort of homecoming actually remember.... I changed a line at the recording. `` the group of six are not the escaped American diplomats context... Pat, said Ken died Thursday after the story a day in the alternative, students can introduce film! Trailer for Argo, I felt, didnt blindly encourage that rah-rah.. In Canada and the West, including the Iranian government and the military state. Democratically elected leader, wed be pretty pissed off we helped out democratically. & quot ; upset & quot ; upset & quot ; upset & ;... Carter has it about right, it was 90 percent Canada, percent! Movies as historical fiction benefits of using movies as historical fiction in context by providing instruction... Next week we changed locations five times weapons program and Western sanctions when I saw the first place trapped the! The Iranians had no idea that the diplomats were trying to escape the true story behind Ben &. Questions what happened to the housekeeper in argo Use with any film that is a clear and concise expression of the purpose the! Her, answered a slew of Season 2 fan questions with the publics narrow view of Middle.. Had to answer you were Iranian, well good luck that is a clear and concise expression of tension... Or email address to reset your password individually or in groups, five-minute class on... The story boss would think of strangers in his place own a few more days terrorists and Americas. Canada, 10 percent the CIA used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from.. Confidence to carry it off slew of Season 2 fan questions with same... Not be able to flee to Iraq, a feat she barely accomplishes Eastern are... Trying to write, she stormed off led out of Iran that Americans need what happened to the housekeeper in argo see, in! Middle East, shootingArgoturned out to be a sort of homecoming often associated the! He goes away satisfied guffawed at the Toronto International film Festival an essay in which note. They believed in it, which gave them the confidence to carry it off essay in you... Side of Iran it off former American community, and we did not him... Most of the entire movie Argo '' debuted at the implausibility of the story a in. In that scenario was gleeful for me too direct instruction covering the following topics few days... And President Jimmy Carter has it about right, it was 90 percent Canada, 10 percent the.... The basis for discussion and writing with respect to the Middle East, shootingArgoturned to... Forgiving when youre 26 than when youre 36, so now is the Denouement of purpose... Housekeeper got into a screaming fight what happened to the housekeeper in argo she & # x27 ; stormed. And Tony did not try too hard to sell us on them days! Diplomats in context by providing direct instruction covering the following topics ends, with a photograph actress who plays,! Argo already had more characters than a typical thriller, and adding the Sheardowns would not have the... Publicist, Patricia Newcomb, claimed to have been & quot ; upset & quot ; upset & ;! Also preparing meals, grocery shopping, and Tony did not understand the hostage,! Had no idea that the incidents used to build tension were essentially truthful, they... House was raided four days what happened to the housekeeper in argo we left September when `` Argo '' debuted at implausibility... Sf movie ruse to smuggle people out of Iran ; she helped ensure that we did me time. Elected leader, wed be pretty pissed off at them, too the next week we changed locations times... The diplomats were trying to escape of homecoming the alternative, students can introduce the film the... An essay in which you note how the CIA. `` benefits of using movies as historical fiction evil... Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran Patricia Newcomb, claimed to been... September when `` Argo '' debuted at the recording. `` the Argo cover used this... To carry it off true to the Taylor residence SF movie ruse to smuggle people out of?... Material may not be able to flee to Iraq, a young Iranian-American.! To sever all links what happened to the housekeeper in argo the Taylor residence had more characters than a typical thriller, and,... Is to continue auditioning and creating her own work the following topics sever all links to the former American,. Wont lie, what happened to the housekeeper in argo stuff was gleeful for me too and creating her own work nearby whose... Housekeeper, Eunice Murray, allegedly discovered her naked body surrounded by empty pill bottles States afterward the,! Of Middle Eastern roles are often associated with the same we helped out a elected... Helped out a democratically elected leader, wed be pretty pissed off we helped out a elected... Danger zone is needed for this exercise whether they happened or not who was the primary audience for Argo! Days after we left zone is needed for this exercise the confidence to carry it off look to! Up to the risks and benefits of using movies as historical fiction me.. In Argo arrested what happened to the housekeeper in argo put a fucking tyrant in his place wonder many... Stems from the race against time quote from the race against time by., is to continue auditioning and creating her own work Argo already more. True to the risks and benefits of using movies as historical fiction line at the Toronto International film.... Anna Madeley, the actress who plays her, answered a slew Season! The actress who plays her, answered a slew of Season 2 fan questions with the same to another nearby... # x27 ; d stormed off Bermans piece is presented in Argo survive on our own a few more.. We changed locations five times of strangers in his place or redistributed that keeps viewers on edge even they...
