(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Ben Affleck believes that many politicians want to be "rock stars".

The actor stars in and directs upcoming political thriller Argo.

The film centres on the hostage crisis that occurred in the 1970s during the Iranian Revolution.

With the American presidential election taking place in November, Ben reflects on the current state of politics and how Hollywood deeply impacts government.

"Politicians, a little bit, would like to be rock stars, so getting some of that shine is a nice thing for a politician," Ben told ET Online.

"Also, I think more importantly, people who are actors that people want to be around will draw in money. So if you are an actor and you go to an event with a politician now, that politician can raise more funds because people want to see that actor, or their kids like that actor, or whatever may be. So I think that's the root of the connection, because money is so much at the root of politics. I mean, you've got to raise a billion dollars to be president of the United States." (C) Cover Media