Ben Affleck has been talking about the pressures of simultaneously directing and acting in his new film Argo, as well as his children's feelings towards his facial hair.

The actor plays the part of CIA specialist Tony Mendez in the film, which is based on the organisation's role in smuggling six American diplomats out of Iran in 1979.

"It is tough, it is tough," he said, "because you take a lot of time away from the focus you want to have as a director to be acting in the movie, and you sort of have to have this dual perspective, and you have the feeling that something's being missed or lost."

Filmed in the style of the 1970s, the movie depicts how Mendez devised an incredible escape plan to pose as a Canadian film crew.

"They hated the facial hair. They hated the beard," says Affleck, of his childrens' reaction to his character, adding: "They couldn't wait for it to be shaved."