Ben Affleck made a strong statement as a director with Gone Baby Gone and The Town, but his period dramatic thriller Argo may just be his best effort yet. The film, based on a true story, centers on a CIA agent (Affleck) who attempts to rescue six Americans trapped in the home of the Canadian ambassador during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The rescue mission was to go in under the auspices of filming a science fiction movie entitled “Argo”. Affleck balances the ridiculously intense thriller aspect of the film with some well-placed bits of humor, and the phenomenal cast gives excellent performances all around. Seriously, this one is not to be missed.
We’ve been provided with some Argo-related swag to give away to a few lucky readers, including a brief bag, a silver picture frame, book bound journals, hats, shirts, and more. Hit the jump to see what you can win and to find out how it can be yours. Argo opens this Friday, October 12th.
In order to enter the contest, email thecollidermailbox@gmail.com with your name and address and include ARGO Giveaway in the headline. This giveaway will be open until October 20 at noon PST and is only open to residents of the United States. Also, only one entry per person. Once the giveaway ends, we’ll look over the entries and randomly pick out the winners. It never hurts to mention why you think you deserve to win.
1 Canvas Brief Bag – ARV $50
1 Polished Silver Picture Frame Desk Clock with Silver Clocks – ARV $48
1 Compact 4.5”x5.5” Genuine Leather Passport Holder – ARV $39
2 Black Hat – ARV $15 each
2 Screen Cleaner on Card – ARV $4 each
2 5”x7” Book Bound Journal - $19
2 Unisex Alternative Joey Slub Long Sleeve Crew – ARV $38
Check out the film’s official site, and you can also head over to the Argo Facebook page and Warner Bros.’ official Twitter.
Synopsis:
Based on real events, the dramatic thriller “Argo” chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis, focusing on the little-known role that the CIA and Hollywood played—information that was not declassified until many years after the event.
Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck (“The Town,” “Good Will Hunting”) directs and stars in the film, which is produced by Oscar® nominee Grant Heslov (“Good Night, and Good Luck.”), Affleck, and Oscar® winner George Clooney (“Syriana”).
On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, the Canadian and American governments ask the CIA to intervene. The CIA turns to their top “exfiltration” specialist, Tony Mendez, to come up with a plan to get the six Americans safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.
“Argo” also stars Bryan Cranston (TV’s “Breaking Bad”), Oscar® winner Alan Arkin (“Little Miss Sunshine”), and John Goodman (“Trouble With the Curve”). The main cast also includes Victor Garber, Tate Donovan, Clea DuVall, Scoot McNairy, Rory Cochrane, Christopher Denham, Kerry Bishé, Kyle Chandler and Chris Messina.
Affleck directed the film from a screenplay by Chris Terrio, based on a selection from The Master of Disguise by Antonio J. Mendez and the Wired Magazine article “The Great Escape,” by Joshuah Bearman.
David Klawans, Nina Wolarsky, Chris Brigham, Chay Carter, Graham King and Tim Headington are the executive producers, with Amy Herman co-producing.
The behind-the-scenes creative team includes Oscar®-nominated director of photography Rodrigo Prieto (“Brokeback Mountain”), production designer Sharon Seymour (“The Town”); Oscar®-nominated editor William Goldenberg (“Seabiscuit,” “The Insider”); and Oscar®-nominated costume designer Jacqueline West (“The Social Network,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”). The music is composed by four-time Oscar® nominee Alexandre Desplat (“The King’s Speech,” “The Queen”).
Filming on “Argo” was accomplished in Los Angeles, Washington, DC and Istanbul.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with GK Films, a Smokehouse Pictures production, “Argo.”
Opening nationwide on October 12, 2012, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
This film has been rated R for language and some violent images.
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