Affleck struck that ‘Argo’ debuting at TIFF as Canada cuts ties with Iran

TORONTO – Ben Affleck says that Canada’s recent decision to cut ties with Iran demonstrates that the issues in his new political thriller “Argo” are still relevant even though the movie is set 30 years ago.

Screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, “Argo” tells the story of six American diplomats who were spirited out of Iran during the 1980 hostage crisis after being sheltered by Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor.

Affleck, who directed and stars in the film, said he thought it was a joke when someone told him Friday that Canada had shut down its embassy in Iran.

The “Armageddon” star says he was struck by the news, and that it reflects the longstanding tensions between Iran and Canada.

“Argo” co-stars Bryan Cranston, John Goodman and Victor Garber.

Affleck previously directed “The Town” and “Gone Baby Gone.”

“While the movie is 30 years old it really is still relevant,” he said of “Argo.”

“Both in the sense that it’s about the unintended consequences of revolution and in the sense that we’re dealing with the exact same issues now than we were then.”

On Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird called Iran “the most significant threat to world peace,” abruptly announcing that Canada was severing ties with the country.

The Toronto International Film Festival runs until Sept. 16.