Iran To Sue Hollywood Over 'Argo'?

The French attorney for Carlos the Jackal, Isabelle Coutant-Peyre, is reportedly in Tehran talking to officials about filing a lawsuit against Hollywood over Argo's 'unrealistic portrayal' of Iran. According to The Associated Press, which cites Iranian media, a decision to investigate how and where to file a suit came after cultural officials and movie critics screened the film on Monday at an event titled 'The Hoax of Hollywood.' Which parties would be sued, by whom and under what jurisdiction have yet to come to light. A Paris-based attorney who is not involved in the affair suggests Iran may have to go 'jurisdiction shopping' if it proceeds.

Argo is based on the true story of how the CIA and Hollywood orchestrated the escape of six Americans from Iran after the U.S. Embassy was besieged in 1979. It's been called pro-CIA propaganda and Iran's culture minister blasted the film a day after it won the Best Picture Oscar, saying it was anti-Iranian and weak artistically. 'We don't expect anything else from the enemy,' Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Mohammad Hosseini said. The movie hasn't been released theatrically but has been widely available on bootleg DVDs on Tehran's black market. Underground DVD sellers said last month the film was their best-selling video in years.

Get Deadline news and alerts FREE to your inbox...