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A Call from the Hostage Takers

Documentary that revisits the extraordinary invitation, from those who had taken US diplomats and citizens hostage in Iran in 1979, to another 50 Americans to visit the country to hear their reasons.

Forty years ago, the Iranian hostage crisis gripped the world, with details unfolding nightly on television. But, until now, one story remains untold.

Desperate to get their message out, the hostage takers invited 50 ordinary Americans to visit Iran. For the Americans, this high-risk trip held the tantalising possibility of securing the release of the hostages. What transpired was a journey quite unlike any of them had planned.

Using archive of the visit and interviews with former Iranian hostage takers in Iran and their American visitors, we hear about their hopes and misgivings at the time and their reflections four decades on.

This film was made by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Persian as part of Crossing Divides, bringing people together in a fragmented world.

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 4 Nov 2019 23:15

Music Played

  • Aggro Santos

    Red Lips (feat. Andreea Bănică)

Credits

Role Contributor
Director Abbas A Motlagh
Director Mark Williams
Video Editor Si Bennett
Executive Producer Jane Taylor

Broadcast