Tonight on Arte: Why the state’s lie about Leonardo DiCaprio drew Iran’s wrath

Former war journalist-turned-agent Roger Ferris works for the CIA in the Middle East. He is responsible for tracking al-Salim, one of the leaders of al-Qaeda, who is hiding in Jordan to prepare attacks against the West. In order to penetrate the terrorist network, Ferris must first gain the trust of the head of Jordanian intelligence.

With Ed Hoffman, his highly experienced unit chief, watching over him from Washington, they decide to trick al-Salim into believing the expansion of a new rival jihadist brotherhood. But is Hoffman really trustworthy and not playing a double game?

With Lies of the State, a 2008 espionage thriller and clearly set against the backdrop of this Hollywood production depicting an America still struggling against Islamist terrorism, Ridley Scott brings Leonardo DiCaprio into the context of contemporary conflicts between Baghdad and Amman. Finally, to deliver a rather attractive story that combines high technology, reality and fantasy.

The state is a lie There is also the announcement of Golshifteh Farahan, a brilliant actress of Iranian descent, who is stepping outside of Iran thanks to the film. She plays Ashai, a Jordanian nurse who falls for Roger Ferris.

For this role, the actor is obvious to the director: he keeps the clothes and the veil. The contract is signed and Golshifteh is transformed into a symbol of hope and freedom, becoming the first Iranian star to appear in an American production since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Wrath of Tehran

A composition that the authorities in Tehran view very negatively. Tensions are running high at the end of the red carpet previews in the United States. Golshifteh Farahan will appear there in a strange and low-cut dress. This is too much for the mullahs regime.

When returning, he is prohibited from leaving the territory. Accused of espionage, he was interrogated for six months, which prevented the actor from traveling from Disney’s studios in London to auditions for Prince of Persia. Thanks to a twenty-four-hour exit permit, he went into exile in France and left the country forever.

“I am a tree with roots” He sadly trusted the microphoneEurope 1 in 2016. “I was sentenced to live in exile. In Iran, we have a constant sense of control, from the beginning of life. When I was in Iran, all the phones were monitored. I had to search for a cell phone in different ways. Calling abroad.

If the actor was able to freely continue his career and life in his adopted country this time, he would Also trust His fear is that one day he will die in exile without ever returning to Iran.