Oscar-winning 'Argo' gets mixed reviews on bootleg Iranian market

The Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran - The Oscar-winning movie "Argo" has not appeared in any Iranian cinema but is still getting mixed reviews about its depiction of Tehran following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

State media were mostly silent on Monday after the news of the film's Best Picture award.

Tehran City Council member Masoomeh Ebtekar — who was one of the students who occupied the U.S. Embassy and acted as their spokeswoman — says the film exaggerates the violence among crowds that stormed the compound.

Fifty-two Americans were held hostage for 444 days, but a handful of embassy staff were sheltered by the Canadian ambassador. Their escape is recounted in "Argo."

Some Iranians say "Argo," which is widely available on bootleg DVDs, shows the need for Iranian filmmakers to deal more with issues from the Revolution.