Not Without My Daughter

In 1984, Iranian physician Sayyed Bozorg "Moody" Mahmoody lives a quiet, happy life in Michigan with his American wife, Betty, and their young daughter, Mahtob. Moody tells Betty his family wants to meet her and Mahtob and asks them to accompany him for a two-week visit to Iran. Despite her deep fears, Betty reluctantly agrees after Moody promises on the Quran that they will safely return to America. Upon their arrival, Moody and Mahtob are embraced, while Betty's unfamiliarity with the Islamic lifestyle offends Moody's family. One evening, Moody reveals he had been fired from the hospital two days prior to their departure. Betty promises they will rectify the situation when they get home. The night before their return flight, Moody's brother Mammal tells them that their passports should have been taken to the airport for approval three days ago. Moody reveals he never intended for them to return, and that they will live in Iran where he will work as a doctor. When Betty protests, Moody becomes enraged and strikes her. Betty tries to earn sympathy from Moody's family, but is scorned by them. The Iran–Iraq War continues, and Moody becomes more hostile and abusive towards Betty, preventing her from leaving the house or using the telephone, claiming his family supervise her. One day, Betty's mother calls Betty and directs her to the American Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy. There, she reaches to Swiss diplomat, Nicole Ajamian, and learns that under Iranian nationality law, she obtained Iranian citizenship upon her marriage to Moody and thus is not entitled to consular protection. Because Iran is an Islamic republic governed by sharia law, Betty cannot leave the country or make decisions concerning Mahtob without Moody's permission. Moody discovers Betty's absence from the house and threatens to kill her if she tries anything again. Betty reluctantly conforms to Moody's wishes for his trust, and they move into Mammal's home. At the market, Betty meets Hamid, a kind, sympathetic storekeeper who allows her to use his telephone and overhears her plea for help. He puts her in contact with humanitarian Iranians Houssein and his sister Nassimi, who offer to help Betty and Mahtob return home. Betty accepts Houssein's assistance after he warns her that Mahtob becomes eligible for marriage or conscription at 9 years old. Betty accompanies Mahtob to her new Iranian school. Betty meets with Houssein and they discuss an escape route. One morning, she and Mahtob arrive at school, finding Moody waiting for them; he viciously attacks Betty and strikes Mahtob. They return home with Moody, who separates them to taunt Betty, but later returns following another missile attack. Six months later, Betty learns that her father is seriously ill. Moody agrees to let her see him in America, yet without Mahtob. He orders her to liquidate their assets while there. Betty and Mahtob sneak out of the house while Moody is called to the hospital. Houssein supplies Betty and Mahtob with fake identity documents, and they make their way past checkpoints across the Persian Gulf. Betty and Mahtob find themselves in Ankara, where they see the flag of the American Embassy in the distance. They return safely to the United States, where Betty divorces Moody, then goes on to become a successful author and dedicate herself to helping those in similar situations.

Plot from Not Without My Daughter (film)CC BY-SA 4.0