The Central Intelligence Agency met with Michael Bay because it wanted to make sure his film about Benghazi did not “compromise national security,” the agency claims.
“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” is centered around the September 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, that left Chris Stevens and Sean Smith dead.
Bay directed the film, but the CIA was adamant that it meeting with him does not mean it endorses the movie.
(Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
“When Michael Bay reached out to CIA regarding his ’13 Hours’ film, we agreed to meet him for the purpose of protecting against the potential release of classified information,” a spokesperson for the CIA told The Daily Beast Monday.
“As with other Hollywood projects and in line with agency regulations, CIA does not endorse this film or any other film.”
John Krasinski stars in the film. (Photo: YouTube screen grab)
Earlier this year, Bay promised the film had no political agenda.
“I show both sides of the story,” Bay said during a film festival in France. “I met with the CIA on this movie and I show the whole situation.”
A source backed up the director’s claims.
“Michael wasn’t out to get the CIA with this movie,” the source told the Daily Beast. “He [met with the CIA] to fact-check, and get the agency’s perspective, basically. There were questions about protocol, what happened on that night.”
“Like he’s said, he shows both sides of the story, the movie deals with the ‘stand down’ order.’ You’re just going to have to wait to see the movie to see how for yourself.”
“13 Hours” is set to be released in mid-January.
Watch the trailer for the film below.
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