video transcript

The red carpet was buzzing with A-list stars including George Clooney and Ben Affleck at the premiere of the CIA thriller "Argo" on Thursday (October 04). Affleck who directed and stars in the film joined the cast to celebrate the true story of a life-or-death CIA mission during the Iran hostage crisis of 1979. Affleck was determined to attach himself to the project when he read the script. SOUNDBITE: Ben Affleck, saying (English): "This is a movie about history and today we see history repeating itself, and often times in tragic ways. What I'm proud of about the movie is that this is an homage to our foreign service members, our clandestine service members who spend their time serving our country overseas, often times in very, very dangerous situations." The film "Argo" tells the true story of former CIA officer Tony Mendez, played by Affleck, who contrives an ingenious but risky plan to free six Americans who found refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador during the Iranian revolution. Mendez, who never thought he'd find himself on a Hollywood red carpet, was overwhelmed to have two big stars wanting to tell his story. SOUNDBITE: Tony Mendez, saying (English): "No actually George Clooney was gonna play me, but Affleck saw the script and he said 'Holy moly.' So he said I'll do the directing and the acting and he did." "Argo" also stars Emmy winner Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin and John Goodman. The film opens in theaters in the U.S. on October 12.