Not Without My Daughter - 1991
Directed by Brian Gilbert
Likely marking the low point in the representation of Iranians by Hollywood, this movie chronicles an American woman's struggle to escape Iran after she and her daughter are forbidden to leave by her Iranian husband.
Color, 1 hour 56 minutes, English/Farsi
Pictures
Betty Mahmoudi (Sally Field portraying the real-life Betty) and her Iranian-born husband live an ideal life in Michigan with their daughter Mahtab.
Moody (Half-Spanish, Half-Italian Alfred Molina) is never truly accepted by his fellow doctors who constantly make derogatory remarks about Iranians.
After finally convincing Betty to visit Iran for what she believes would be only two weeks, Moody's family greets her with the "gift" of a chador.
The transition that Moody makes from loving husband and father to wife-beating religious zealot is quite sudden.
According to the movie, herders frequently bring their sheep to pasture on the streets of Tehran.
Moody blames the Iraqi bombing raids on their backers in the USA.
Betty receives help from a sympathetic Iranian who plans her escape and provides her with funds.
Betty puts on a smile despite having to spend yet another Christmas in Iran.
DVD
External Reviews
External Reviews currently not available
Copyright © 2006-2010 Firouzan Films. All rights reserved.