To begin, I watched the film when it came out in 2012. As a Iranian-American 12 year old, I was very confused. I was confused because Iranians were being pictured in a way that even scared me. I began to think how others would view my people and culture.
While the story and events captured in Argo did happen, the way they were presented concerned me. In the beginning of the film, various clips of the history of Iran's government and the U.S.'s involvement in it. Even though this information is true it sees to be thrown in. I feel it is added in for cinematic effect rather than to inform viewers of the relationship between the U.S. and Iran. What follows this is exactly what Orientalism is highlighting, the negative connotations associated with this part of the world. The film takes the route of victimizing the hostages and illustrating the Iranians as barbaric. The filmmakers made this film for entertainment, for a thrill. This is obvious through scenes with mobs of people chanting and the main characters fighting their way through them.
Overall, this film fails to accurately present the events that took place or the real relationship between the U.S. and Iran. In addition the film heightens the fear Americans have for Iran and gives them one very narrow lens to view Iran. There were many opportunities to educate the Western viewers of the film in what happened and Iranians' emotions . Instead, all audience members get are angry and villianized characters. Argo is just one example of Orietnalism in the United States and the reinforcement of stereotypes of Iran.
While the story and events captured in Argo did happen, the way they were presented concerned me. In the beginning of the film, various clips of the history of Iran's government and the U.S.'s involvement in it. Even though this information is true it sees to be thrown in. I feel it is added in for cinematic effect rather than to inform viewers of the relationship between the U.S. and Iran. What follows this is exactly what Orientalism is highlighting, the negative connotations associated with this part of the world. The film takes the route of victimizing the hostages and illustrating the Iranians as barbaric. The filmmakers made this film for entertainment, for a thrill. This is obvious through scenes with mobs of people chanting and the main characters fighting their way through them.
Overall, this film fails to accurately present the events that took place or the real relationship between the U.S. and Iran. In addition the film heightens the fear Americans have for Iran and gives them one very narrow lens to view Iran. There were many opportunities to educate the Western viewers of the film in what happened and Iranians' emotions . Instead, all audience members get are angry and villianized characters. Argo is just one example of Orietnalism in the United States and the reinforcement of stereotypes of Iran.
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