Original subtitles

Mom, are you being careful?

Alpena Michigan, 1984

This takes longer than I thought! What a nice day.

Based on a true event.

- Dad looks good. - That's true. He has always been a fighter.

- Look at Mahtob. - She is a real father's girl.

Well, that was you too.

Moody, Mahtob, Pa! Come, fresh homemade lemonade.

Come on everybody.

Mom, Daddy teaches me to fish.

- Can I see your catch today? - Once, you unbeliever.

- Here we go again. Dad, you wanted lemonade? - Yes.

OK.

- Ah. - Acid?

- A little. - Not enough sugar? I never get that right.

Hey, Mahtob. What vitamins are there in limes?

- What vitamins are there in limes? - Vitamin C.

Yes. Which vitamins are there bananas?

- Vitamin C, vitamin B and fiber. - Well done!

- None of my children was ever so smart. - Good. Thank you, ma.

- And what do you want to become later? - A nurse.

- You can also become a doctor. - A doctor and a nurse.

How can you learn how to learn Mahtob? while you never catch anything yourself?

Honey, this is the best way. That is how I am unbiased.

He bought this fishing equipment and is fishing with her every day.

If it was a choice between your lemonade and my fish, I know where I stand.

- I want to sit on Dad's lap. - Well, it's my turn now.

- Do not fight me, girls. - You're only looking for another lap.

And then we have here ... Thank you.

.. a 30-year-old woman with a Class 3 Pap, grease for a TAH, I think so ...

The Iranians have pledged themselves back in the Stone Age.

Why would someone come to America? to study medicine?

You can graduate in Iran in two weeks.

Seven days.

The Ayatollahs have good ideas. A wounded soldier, let him die.

He is going to paradise anyway.

- Do you see the newspaper? - The Iranian comics?

How can he read that? It looks like one of my recipes!

I have read your recipes.

- No, no, do not turn off. - It is well.

- Honey, what is it? - Nothing, there is nothing.

What is going on? Something with the family - is everything right?

They are doing well. They are healthy.

By the way, Mammal called. He and Nasserine have a boy.

That is amazing.

A few doctors once again joked.

- Who were they? - What does it matter?

It does matter, Moody. It does matter.

We have moved here to get rid of it.

- God, it is terrible! - Oh, honey, forget it.

Honey, forget it. There are stupid people everywhere.

Forget it.

- Is Aladdin's cave really there? - You will.

- Can we find it? - I'm not sure if I can find him, but ...

You know, I was born in Persia. They now call it Iran.

If I brought you there, maybe we could search for it together.

Iran has caves, mountains and deserts, just like in the fairy tale.

And mosques that are so nice that they look like jewels.

When the sun shines on it they blind your eyes.

Would you like to see that?

OK. Where have we stayed?

- Daddy?

Do I hate Americans?

Of course not.

Lucille says I hate Americans because you come from Iran.

Darling ... Lucille really does not know what she talks about.

So, we should not so much attention to her.

I have been living in America for 20 years now.

I am an American as apple pie is American.

And so are you. Give me a kiss.

That was Ameh Bozorg. It is always the same.

She cries and cries on the phone.

"You are like a son to me. When your mother died, I raised you. "

''I am ill. you are not here to take care of me. "

- Is she sick? - No, no, she is not sick.

She is 58. She feels old, but she is not sick.

- Call up the same old guilt. - Oh, honey, come on.

She is your sister. Call her a little more often.

Calling is not good. She wants to see me.

Now Mammal and Nasserine have a baby they expect me to come.

It is 10 years ago. I have not seen my family for 10 years.

Mammal and Reza have been here. Why is she not coming?

She does not get beyond Tehran. She wants to see me there!

They want to see us there. They have never seen you or Mahtob.

- She asks why we do not come on vacation. - You'll have to explain it to them.

- What to explain? - Why we can not come.

Why not?

I'm not taking Mahtob to Iran. It is far too violent.

We are not going to do any sightseeing in the Persian Gulf.

We spend 2 weeks there by with my family.

Moody, it happens there too much.

Listen, your family is here a warm welcome, you know that.

Maybe you should go there alone.

No. I do not mean that either. Nobody has to go. It is not safe.

- Mommy - I'm coming!

Now you pull it completely out of context.

I have not seen them in 10 years.

- Honey, I ... - Mommy!

All right! I'm coming!

No, it's OK. Just go.

Honey, I want everything darling go there.

I miss them so much.

You're always talking about that family is so important.

The only thing I want is with you and Mahtob on holiday with my family.

- Moody, it scares me. - What scares you, honey?

Look at me.

Do you really believe me would jeopardize you and Mahtob?

I love you both more then something else in this world.

Listen. Mahtob gets vacation.

She starts at a new school. It is now a good time.

I swear...

on the holy Qur'an

that you are not in danger, that we go back after 2 weeks

and that I will do everything to not to jeopardize you

Come on, honey. What does it mean?

Look what they are doing.

- Hello, Betty. - Hello, Nasserine.

It is good to see you.

This is Mahtob.

- Betty! Betty! This is Ameh Bozorg! - Darling, that's Dad's sister.

- Oh my God. Look. Mahtob. - Mahtob!

Moonlight. you are moonlight.

I know that. Mahtob means '' moonlight ''.

Mahtob.

Betty? I'm so happy. Now you can be with us.

Yes. It is only for 2 weeks but I am pleased.

I remember your house very good in America.

- Mammal, it's good to see you again. - Finally, you are there, Betty.

Yes. I am glad we can visit you. Congratulations with your baby.

Thank you.

- What? - Nothing.

She says that Mahtob speaking looks like Moody and Ameh Bezorg.

- What a welcome, huh? - Oh my God. It is amazing.

- You know all these people? - All of them.

Oh, boy. This is my whole family.

- They probably missed you. - The car is there.

Go ahead. Take it out. It's a gift.

Thank you. Is not it fun?

Oh, thank you, thank you.

- Go ahead, do it. - Now?

Yeah. It is, e ... They have a lot of problems with it. It will make them happy.

- OK. - It is a good quality ..

Get in.

God ... it all looks different.

You said that foreign women do not Islamic clothes needed to be worn.

Yeah, I know that. I was mistaken.

Everything has changed.

Only if you have the house you have to carry this.

You saw the women. I recognized half not from my family. They were veiled.

Last time they did not wear burka. It is new.

- What would happen if I did not wear this? - Ameh Bozorg?

You would be arrested, she says.

- I have to go to the toilet. - Wait. We are almost there.

Hi.

No! They hurt him, Mommy! They hurt him!

They hurt him, Mommy!

It is a way of welcoming. They give the meat to the poor.

Honey, you have to look through this. That was to be expected.

Hold me to me.

Mahtob ...

They are the prayers of Friday. From the Tehran University.

Mahmood ...

Prayers.

Do not forget something to buy your father and mother.

Thanks darling. Let me help you.

OK?

Do your burka well! Do your hair well! Cover your hair!

They did not know that you come from abroad. Otherwise they would not be so brutal.

- It was only a little hair. - You have to be careful, they are very strict.

You have to cover everything. You may not be careless!

Every uncovered hair is like a dagger focused on the heart of our martyrs!

Come on.

Give them time, honey. It's OK.

Look at these hands.

Sshh!

- Mom ... - Sshh!

I believe we can eat now.

Come on, sit up straight.

is it because I did not wear burka?

Honey, you see that wrong. She did not look at you.

You have not seen that well, she looked at me ....

It was the same earlier in the day when the police stopped us.

It was with such contempt!

It all seems so primitive.

All religious beliefs are primitive if it is not yours.

But to hide them?

- Are they afraid of female sexuality? - No, that's not the problem.

Iranian women like to wear the burka. It is a form of respect.

When the Shah tried to ban them he got demonstrations.

Most women wanted the burka back.

Sorry. I know it's a different culture. I know ... I ... do not understand.

Why is Mammal angry with you, and the others?

It seems that they should only have you.

My family ... is strictly religious.

They are not highly educated. They are actually rural people.

It has all changed.

It goes back to the Koran. It has been like that since the revolution.

When they moved to this house,

they threw away all furniture - all of them.

Now they see me and ... I am too much American.

And you have an American woman.

- Yeah. - Sorry.

The last thing I wanted was to insult them ...

I know that.

Honey, it will look weird for the time being,

but, believe me, they will love you.

They will. I promise.

OK.

- What? - Nothing.

- Nothing. - What's so funny?

You know, they think we do having sex all day?

- Who? - The family.

Why?

After they have had sex they have to take a shower.

Otherwise they can not pray. They consider it unclean.

We shower two three times a day!

Oh God! What do they think, that we are two rabbits?

I do not shower anymore. You knew it all the time!

- I did not know you were a swinger like that! - You knew it all the time!

- You were giggling in the hall! - Do not get mad now.

- Do not go. - I have to go.

- Please stay. - I can not.

You are up early every morning. Do not go.

What's the matter with you? We are with my family.

They are the Sayyed - direct descendants of Mohammed.

Of course that seems to be for one worldly American primitive.

- Betty? - Oh, God, you scared me.

I wondered where you were.

- I just made the most beautiful picture. - It is getting dark. Are you coming in?

Yeah.

- Betty? - What?

Something happened before we came here.

What?

I did not want to tell you. We went here because ...

Moody, what happened?

I am discharged the hospital.

You are fired?

It happened just before we would go.

Two days, literally.

I can not believe it. They can not do that.

Oh yes, they can. If she is someone find it differently that it can be cheaper.

Oh no.

And who is not Irani r.

Oh ... Moody, I can not believe it.

- And it went so well. - Do you think they can have an Iranian in Michigan?

It is always there ... below the surface.

Not one of my colleagues

has ever occurred to me if there were problems.

Honey, that's not true,

We're talking about it the medical profession.

It would be highly educated people must be.

What should we do now?

Well ... I'll tell you what we're going to do.

We are going back home tomorrow and find out how this happened.

We appeal. We have laws in America.

We have friends. You have a lot of friends.

And this may not happen.

Hey!

Stop it. Look at you you screw everything up.

Pack your own stuff together.

- I do not think they let this through. - Maybe Mammal can send it.

Pick up your Toby Bunny or are you wearing him? It is getting hot.

- Pick him up. - OK.

Sit down and fold all these clothes on.

- Can I put them in the suitcase? - Yes.

Honey, you have not caught yet. Shall I do it for you?

No.

You have to go three days in advance the airport to get permission.

- Permission? Which permission? - You must have a stamp.

- You can not go today. - When is the next flight?

I do not know.

- Moody, what is this? - I do not know.

We have to wait for the next flight, I think.

Why could not you watch the passports?

- Did no one tell you this? - Nobody has thought about it.

We're going to the airport and tell them we did not know.

Maybe they let us through. Different we stay and wait for the next flight.

I do not know how to explain this to you.

We are not going back. We stay here.

How do you mean? How long?

I'm looking for a job here. In a hospital.

- What? - I want us to live in Iran.

No. No.

- There is nothing left in America that stops me. - No!

Are you crazy? We are Americans. Your daughter is American.

Moody, honey, you are indignant about your job.

I can understand that. But we are going to do something about that.

- I want Mahtob to grow up here. - No!

- I think she should become a Muslim. - No! No.

You lied to me.

You lied to me. You have sworn on the Qur'an that nothing would happen.

- Mommy. - You planned this a long time ago.

- Are not we going home today? - Yes, we're going.

- Go down and say hello. - OK.

Moody, I know what's going on.

They do not have the right. You have to resist it.

I know how much you miss your family, how guilty they make you feel.

I know the pressure they are trying to put on you.

I promise you we will come back. We spend time here.

But we can not stay.

This is an underdeveloped, primitive country.

I do not want to live here, nor my daughter either.

How can you think of Mahtob here to feed if you know how they treat women here?

- I know this is the right decision. - No.

- For all of us. For you and Mahtob. - You can not mean this.

I'm a doctor. They have a defect to doctors. I can do a lot of good things here.

- Please... - By the way, I'm a Muslim.

- Here I belong. - Do not do this to us.

I know this sounds hard, but this is the best for us all.

- Mahtob can learn true values ​​here. - No! I'm not staying here. You can...

You listen to me.

You are now in my country.

You are my wife. You do as I say. Do you understand me?

We stay here.

Mammal, do you want to translate for me?

Excuse me if I do not like the words know well. I'm a bit agitated.

I wanted to talk to you to see whether you can understand my feelings.

Moody and I are now seven year married.

We love each other very much and trusted each other.

Trust has always been important.

I did not want to come here.

Moody knew that. I have made it very clear.

The only reason to visit you was so that you would see our daughter.

But I was afraid.

So Moody swore on the holy Qur'an that something like this would never happen.

He took the Koran and swore against me.

Is that the truth, Moody?

I had to. You should not would have gone with me if I had not done so.

Baba Hajji, you are a religious man.

How can Moody swear by the Koran and then do this?

Allah will forgive him.

No! No!

Ameh Bozorg, Ameh Bozorg, please help me! Please!

No, you can not do this. Damn!

Damn! You can not keep me here! You had planned this for a long time!

Damn!

I'll stay with you.

I will help you.

Try to go to sleep now.

Where are the checkbooks and the credit cards?

And I need the house keys and the car keys.

They're in the small bag, I think.

Moody?

- Talk to me. Please! - There is nothing more to say.

Oh, Moody, please. Talk to me.

Mahmood ...

I asked you not to call again. No, she is not present.

She is my wife, which means that she does what I want.

You do not help him by doing this.

Yes, I know and I'm sorry, but this does not help his illness either,

so please, leave us alone.

No, I'm not going to discuss ...

I really do not care. B.Z. can do and leave what they want.

Betty, you have to eat.

You do not keep this up. You make yourself sick.

If I was sure you would stay, We could have it right here.

You know ... when I heard that Shah Iran was leaving ...

it was after Mahtob was born.

I could not believe it. I was amazed.

Everyone was on the street. Millions of people.

I wish I had been there.

For the first time, we could say to everyone,

"This is our faith. This is our way of life. This is who we are. ''

And no one could stop us.

You can not imagine what feeling that was.

I know that's hard for you, but it will get better.

I promise.

- Dear Lord, answer our prayer. - Dear Lord, answer our prayer.

Please help us leave Iran and return to America.

Please help us leave Iran and return to America.

Please do not let anything separate us.

Please do not let anything separate us.

And keep an eye on our safety.

And keep an eye on our safety.

- Amen. - Amen.

- Hey. - Hello, Betty.

- Mom? Oh God! - Say nothing. Listen only.

You go to the American Affairs section from the Swiss Embassy.

There is no US Embassy in Tehran more.

It is on the Khiaban Fereshteh Street.

Their number is 625475.

- 625475 ... - What are you doing?

He passed. I answered him.

Why are you humiliating me like that?

You do not touch the phone anymore or leave the house.

- Do you understand me? - Yes!

Swiss Embassy.

American Affairs section.

I can not hear you. You have to speak harder.

- I can not talk harder. - I can not hear you.

Are you still there?

'Are you still there?.

Please help me. I'm being held here.

You have to talk harder. You are so far away.

I'm being held here. Please help me.

Sorry. I can not hear you.

Who were you talking to?

- When? - On the phone.

- No one. - Do not lie to me!

- Stop, daddy! - It's OK. It is something between mom and me.

It is nothing. I tried to call Nasserine. I dialed the wrong number.

What do you think? That you can lie to me?

You think you can do something without knowing anything about it?

My family tells me everything.

They're watching you so do not be stupid.

Mom is not stupid.

She has to go to school again soon. We need to get the right clothes for her.

- I do not want to go to school. - Which school? When?

American Affairs ... The Swiss Embassy.

Khiaban Fereshteh is the name from the street. Khiaban Fereshteh.

Swiss Embassy.

My name is Betty Mahmoody. I am a US citizen.

Show your passport inside.

- Thank you. - Passport.

We do not have a passport. My husband has them. We are American citizens.

- You can go. - Mommy, we can go home!

My name is Nicole Adjanian.

Betty Mahmoody. This is my daughter, Mahtob.

- Have a seat. - Thank you.

We are so happy to see you.

I spoke with my mother in the United States.

I know where B.Z. is in this kind of cases.

We are already happy to be here. We sleep everywhere.

As long as it will take, until you can get us out of here.

What are you talking about? You can not stay here.

I can not go back to my husband. I want to go back to the United States.

You will, but you are here in Iran.

- You are married to an Iranian? - Yes.

- Then you are a resident of Iran. - No.

Am I not. I am a US citizen and my daughter too.

We were born in America. We have an American passport.

I mean, we do not have them with us. My husband has them.

We have citizenship never changed.

If you are married to an Iranian man, you automatically become an Iranian.

The laws concerning women are strictly adhered to.

You can not travel without permission.

You have no rights regarding the children. They are assigned to the man.

Sorry, but you must return to your husband.

But then we never come from Iran.

We are being held hostage. it was almost impossible to get here.

Mrs. Mahmoody, there are several American women here in the same conditions.

May I ask you why to come to Iran?

I do not know.

I do not know.

I was afraid to come here.

I wanted to do him a favor.

I trusted him.

I was afraid, but I thought not that this would happen.

I thought he was an American.

He changed. Oh, God, he has changed that way.

Look, Mrs. Mahmoody ...

Many returned after the revolution felt guilty,

because they are Iran and Islam turned its back.

Now Iran is an Islamic state and that is a wonderful thing for most.

Well, if anything else is what I can do for you ...

Maybe if you go to Call America,

or want to send letters home, let me know.

If Daddy asks where we've been, we are walking and getting lost.

- Where were you? - We took a walk!

- Huh? Where were you? - We took a walk!

Stop!

If you try something like that again, I'll kill you.

Oh my God.

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday, dear Mahtob

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday, dear Mahtob

Happy birthday to you

Hi.

Hi.

Nasserine said she wanted to talk to me.

I can not believe it that she is already 5 years old, can you?

No.

Thank you for today. The doll and everything else.

I miss her.

It looks like me did not spend much time with her

Moody ...

I want this to work.

You were a great father today.

It all came back again.

Honey, I want you to be happy. I want to make you happy.

I need help from you.

Oh, Betty.

I did not want it to be like that.

I love you. I will never hurt you.

Oh, Moody. Moody, I want you to help me.

We can not stay in this house.

It is my sister's house. She will be insulted if we go.

No. She does not want us here. She can not take me.

We can not go anywhere else.

We would be at Mammal and Nasserine can stay.

We helped them when they were in America.

Nasserine goes to school. I could babysit. I can help.

Please.

Oh, Betty.

I do not want to lose you.

I want you to tell me what I can do.

- The kitchen? - Kitchen.

I cook for you. I am so grateful to you, Nasserine.

Thank you.

I told them that same rules apply as before.

You have to wear a burka tonight.

Oh?

My uncle is a mullah. He is very respected.

He is an influential man. He has written books about Islam.

Maybe he's helping me get a job.

Betty, you're a good Iranian cook.

- Thank you. - You are happy people.

Why are you wearing a burka?

- I thought that was necessary - But why?

A burka is a Persian tradition. It is not necessary to wear it indoors.

It is now exaggerated for some people.

Mahmood told me that you read the Koran.

Yes. I try that.

- Me too. - Very well.

- Are you going to the Koran school? - No.

You must send Mahmood there. There it is in English.

- Would you like that? - Yes. Love.

The Hadiths or the roles are the assembled prayers of the prophet

with the comments from devoted and learned men.

In our lectures of the Quran, We will consider the Hadiths when appropriate.

- Where are we now? - I do not know. She says ...

- You're American. - Yes.

.. without being there, an imam who guided the people to God.

- We lived there! - You are joking?

- Chicago. - But I lived in Michigan.

- True? - Near Lancing.

- True? - It's a small place. Owosso.

I lived there for 5 years! I went to grammar school.

- My husband had his own practice there. - My husband is also a doctor.

I do not believe that!

Now I work for an English language magazine for Islamic women.

- Have you become a Muslim? - Mm-hm.

- Are you switched from faith? - Well, I wanted to, I believe.

My husband was happy when I did it. It is easier for everything.

There ... I have to go.

- Ellen, it's ... - No really.

Moody.

I just met an American woman. From Owosso. Her husband is a doctor.

- Are they here? - They just left.

She invited us. Is that good?

Yeah, that's nice.

I want to ask you something when you are away with your father.

I want you to ask him about the taxis and buses.

- And how expensive things are. - OK.

Good? Ask him questions about the signs. What they mean, what they mean.

- OK. - Then you can also teach me.

Why do you want to learn all that?

I need to know that when we leave here.

- What is that? - His name on a plate.

- What does he sell? - Here everything is sold.

These are photos of people who died during the war.

- Why all these questions, honey? - What is that?

- That's the rest of the market and ... - What are they doing?

Phone. Phone.

The moment the Shah left Iran I wanted to go back to Iran,

but Ellen did not want to go.

So I said, "Good. Then I will go alone. ''

So she came along.

The first year in Iran it did not go well between us.

She could not get used to it. Or not, Ellen?

It took a long time before she knew to be a good woman.

Warm here, is not it?

Yes.

Why did you go back?

I mean, my God, he let you back to the States ...

and you came back.

In the beginning maybe then ...

Of course there were the known problems with the children, so ...

It was hard for me.

I had no experience. And small American village.

- Was he violent? - Not in the States, never.

It should not be that way either. It does not belong in Islam.

Weddings stand here. They can be good.

Sometimes it has been hard for me, but you have to give it time, Betty.

Islam has something beautiful in it.

I mean, I'm glad my children grow up as a Muslim.

Ellen ...

I am glad we are friends. Then you me told me that you came home, I was happy.

It was just a miracle.

Ellen ...

I have to tell you something.

If I do it, can you keep it secret? Do not you tell my husband?

Sorry. Sorry.

Ellen, I'm sorry. Forget about what I said.

No, it's OK. Continue.

I will not say it. I promise.

Can you post this letter for me?

I try to go to America.

My family is working on it, but Moody know what I do every minute.

Are you crazy? Do not realize what can happen? Horrible things.

You can not make that, Betty.

If you get caught, they can execute you.

It's for the embassy. Please.

Can you believe that?

They are desperately looking for doctors, they have war victims,

but because I studied in America, nobody wants to give me a job.

That is not the reason.

Hard to believe this country before the Revolution was developing.

We built chemical factories, oil refineries,

multi-million dollar installations.

They are rusting away because no one know how they work!

It is all so primitive!

Honey, someone has to go to the market. We do not have meat and vegetables.

- I can not. - It's for tonight.

I can not. You will have to wait until Nasserine is back.

She's late. What are we doing tonight?

I do not know! Can not you go for the change yourself?

Yeah. Really, that's possible ..

I know the way. And it is not far. I will take the children with me.

Give me a list of what you need

and I'll tell you the time to be back here.

Take the baby. Mahtob can stay with me.

- Are you American? - Yes.

I need dozaari for the phone.

I have often been in America. New York. Amarillo, Texas.

You want to make a call?

Please, come. Please.

Thank you.

American Interests section. Nicole Adjanian.

Nicole, with Betty. Have you heard something yet of Foreign Affairs?

No I can not.

Because they're watching me all the time, or he has someone to guard.

I did not know that. Will they let us go if we divorce?

What?

I can not do that ... I can not.

I will not leave her here. Nicole ... Nicole, I'm not leaving her!

OK. I can come to the embassy if I can.

Thank you. You are very sweet.

You can use the phone whenever you want. No problem.

- Thank you. - I love America.

My son was at the University of Texas.

That's my son.

He is a martyr of war.

My name is Hamid. You come to me every time you want to call.

I'm Betty.

- Who brings me to school tomorrow? - I do not know, honey.

I will have to do that or Daddy.

- But I want you to do that. - I do not know if I can, Mahtob.

Why can not you?

Treasure ...

I promise you, I will be there and everything will be okay.

OK?

Come on.

- Dear Lord. - Dear Lord.

- Hear our prayers. - Hear our prayers.

- We beg you to help us leave Iran. - We beg you to help us leave Iran.

- And go back to America. - And go back to America.

This afternoon I am back, honey. I will return. I'll come back, honey.

Honey, I'll be back. I'll be there, honey.

- I do not want to go! Daddy, please! - Do not worry, baby.

Mom, please! Mom, do not leave me! Do not leave me!

Nasserine, take the baby for a moment. I grab the rice.

Hamid. I can not stay.

You must come in. There is someone here.

Miss Nassimi. She is coming to help you.

Hamid told me you were out Iran wants to flee.

You know that is extremely dangerous.

I have to go back to the United States.

- Why are not you trying to divorce? - No.

When we divorce, my husband gets the custody of my daughter.

If they catch you with your daughter, they can, you execute.

- I can not leave her. I have to ... - Please.

Wait. I think we can help you.

My brother helps a lot of people here.

I am here on Wednesday and Thursday you can come on these days.

Here is my phone number. Remember, please. Do not keep it!

Thank you.

Betty!

I have the rice.

Sorry.

What happened?

She's been crying all day.

I had to pick her up.

We can not do this to her, Moody. She is afraid.

I know that. They want you to tomorrow to school.

OK.

They want you to stay with them every day.

Of course. Of course I stay with her.

They are all devoted women.

You are being watched.

OK.

I just want Mahtob to be happy.

I want to give her a happy childhood. Or do not you want that?

Islam is the greatest gift that I can give my child.

You said there would be no danger. Mahtob could have been killed!

America does this. Who delivers the bombs, the planes? Who helps Iraq?

Do not be so naive. America is responsible for this war, nobody else!

You should not behave like that.

I told Hormoz.

It is your duty as a wife tell everything to your husband!

You can not have any secrets!

Very nice. Very nice.

Mahtob ... Very beautiful.

Very nice.

I'm sorry ... It's bad in Iran.

Bad for you ... for your husband.

Sorry.

We help you. We help you. Help you.

- Can I use the phone? - Phone? Nah! Nah.

Man, no phone. Go inside. Go inside.

OK.

You're coming tomorrow morning. 11 hours.

- Tomorrow morning. - I can come later with Mahtob?

Thank you.

There are basically 3 ways to come from Iran.

You can go to Baluchistan and go over the mountains to Pakistan.

In the southwest to Bandar Abbas, and the Gulf over by boat to Oman.

That is the most dangerous route.

From Tehran, over the Zagros mountains, through Kurdistan to Turkey.

There are checkpoints and the border posts are heavily armed.

- Which is the best way? - The wave.

How much will this cost?

If you and your daughter are back in America can you possibly pay me back?

Dollars will be better for me help than the Iranian money.

Stay in touch with my sister.

OK.

Run! Run!

- Where were you? - Stop it, Daddy!

Where have you been?!

Mom!

- Mamma! - Stand up! Stand up!

I will kill you! I cut you completely open! You are going to die!

Get out.

Betty!

Betty!

Nicole Adjanian.

Nicole Adjanian.

Nicole? He's going to kill me. He's going to kill me.

He said he would kill me.

She's from the embassy. I want to talk to Mahtob.

Nah, nah! Not possible. Child is going to father.

He's going to kill me. I have to have my daughter.

Madam, you wait, man is coming.

- I want my child! - Madam! Madam!

I want my child! I want my child!

I want my child!

Betty, they will not give you her.

Foreign Affairs wants you to go to the Iranian Minister of B.Z. is going.

No! Foreign Affairs does not understand the culture They only make it worse!

- You're waiting for your husband. Tell her that I want my child. I want my child!

I can not do that. Please...

Listen, honey, do not talk now.

Because I have to tell you that you do not can talk about Hamid or the embassy

because if you do that, they will never let us go.

Do not say anything. Do you hear me?

Mom, do not leave me. Do not go away.

I promise you. I promise you I will not leave you alone.

Do you hear me? I will not leave you alone.

- Where are Mammal and Nasserine? - You, do not ask me anything.

Is it enough for you, honey?

They have been withdrawn at Ameh Bozorg.

- Moody, what are you doing? - Mamma!

Please do not take her with you! Moody! Moody! Please!

Please do not take her with you! Moody, please do not take her! Moody!

Moody, please! Moody!

Moody!

Moody!

Moody, do not take her! Do not take her!

Is mom going on an adventure with you? Tell me, where does she take you to?

To the Koran school.

We have seen camels.

Yes?

Do not you go anywhere else?

How could it be you yesterday arrived late at school?

- We were lost. - No, you were not! I'm not sure!

- We were! - For hell, where were you ?!

- Where were you?! - We were lost!

- Where were you?! - We were lost!

Moody?

Moody, please stay here.

How is Mahtob? Please! Please stay here. Is everything okay with her?

Mahtob. Mahtob.

Betty?

Betty?

Mahtob. Mahtob.

You brought her back. Thank you. Thank you.

My baby. Thank you, Moody.

Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday, dear Mahtob

Happy birthday to you

- Will it go well? - Yes, but when are you back?

- As soon as I can. Be kind. - I will do that.

We fly you to Bandar Abbas

and then with a speedboat the wave.

I will never be able to thank you.

Please, Betty. There is no reason for that either.

Only make a safe journey.

I wish you had this in the summer.

All the flowers are gone now, of course.

Gardens have always been one special place in Persia.

Throughout our history.

In fact, the word '' paradise '' is a Persian word.

It is hard to believe that the idea of ​​a paradise

always will be connected to Iran.

Always when I realize what is happening with my country, I try to imagine the gardens.

You have to try me every time to call whenever you can.

You are at home with Christmas.

Betty.

Merry Christmas.

Sorry. The wave became too dangerous.

Control warships all citizen boats.

Zahedan is safer, so I have a flight booked for you and Mahtob

on Wednesday 29 January, today in 10 days.

Wednesday. Good. Moody is in the hospital then.

On the 29th, you bring Mahtob to the school bus, as usual.

We will pick you up at the bus stop,

take you to a 'safe house' until it's time to go.

Does he hurt?

Does he have it now?

How much? How long did he know?

- So he does not respond to the treatment? - What is it?

- And they suggested that? - What?

Mom, do you want to keep waiting?

It is my father. It is not that good. They want to take him out and ...

Tell her you're coming back to see him. Tell her you're coming.

Tell her you're going to see him. Tell the hair.

Mom? Moody says we are going home.

- I'm sorry about your father. - Thank you.

Is not it possible that you come with us?

No, I can not go. I would lose my job.

- But is it good if Mahtob goes along? - No. You will only have to go.

- I can not go without Mahtob. - Why not?

You will see your father. Where is the problem?

I will not go without her.

Betty ...

You go as soon as you can.

You will see your father and sells all your possessions in the States.

It's my money and I want it!

Do not do it, Betty. You will never see your daughter again.

- He will not allow you in this country. - My father is dying.

I do not think so if it would think to lose your daughter.

Why can not I go now, come back and later try to flee?

You can not leave Mahtob here, not with Moody's family.

They are provincials, more fanatical than most others.

This regime encourages this.

See some people here a nine-year-old girl ready for a wedding.

Child brides are not uncommon here.

If you want to be free, with Mahtob,

you have to leave the 29th, as agreed.

But maybe he'll let me leave, maybe tomorrow already. He has not said that yet.

Before the war.

They become younger and younger. Some of them 12 years old.

They give them plastic keys, made in Taiwan, to paradise,

and tell them that they are direct going to paradise when they die.

They sometimes use them minefields.

They run up the field, and are torn in pieces.

OK.

We still have a week to go.

He must have your passports validated. He can not do it in this time frame. That is impossible.

He now relies on you. Try everything to put in the work to slow him down.

- Where were you? - Moody. I went to the market.

I wanted to buy some gifts for my father but could not find anything.

That one day that I come home earlier.

I let you go. I give you freedom.

OK. Listen to me.

If you do not do what I say, I will close you up and you will never see Mahtob again.

On the 26th are you going to America with that plane?

You send everything here and then you come back.

In the meantime, do not touch the phone or put a foot outside. Is that clear?

Yes.

Moody?

- You booked for the 26th? - What do you mean? Of course I booked.

You have the validation? Do you remember the last time?

Zia knows the people. It has all been arranged.

I hope your father will get better. I'm sorry we're not there tomorrow.

Please come back to us. We love you.

They want me to go back to the hospital.

I have to go.

I have to go to the market.

There are things that I need to have. It will take about 20 minutes.

- I will go. - No no. It's okay.

I need fresh air.

I would like to buy something for my father. But I do not have time anymore.

Treasure? Mahtob, grab your scarf and jacket.

Houssein.

Houssein.

Houssein, I have her with me.

This is the last chance I get. We have to go now.

Betty. Come.

My brother wants you to man calls and slows him down.

I have to call Houssein first and tell him that you are safe.

- I forgot Toby Bunny. - What?

I forgot Toby Bunny.

Honey, honey, you want back to America, home?

Mahtob, stop crying.

Stop crying.

Listen up.

If we have to go back for Toby Bunny, we must stay with Daddy.

Do you want that?

But when do we see Daddy again?

I do not know.

Stop crying now.

I love you.

I love you. You are my great, good girl.

OK.

- Moody, I can not go with that flight. - Why not? What are you up to?

Nothing. I am not planning on anything.

- I'm calling the police. - Do it, and call the police.

- There are things that I want to tell them. - Like what?

That the clinic is not legal. That you have no authority to operate.

I picked that out. I sit here all day. Did you think I would not notice that ?!

I'm just trying to be good to you.

- Yes. - We do not need the police.

Agree. That will not be necessary.

So we can do this together discuss, Betty. Betty?

I need to think about it.

You better. I do not believe a word of what you say.

How could you take Mahtob? You steal my child.

No. I promise you nothing, Betty.

You are my wife. Come back here right away!

Hello, Betty. With Zia.

Zia. I want you to tell Moody that I have a lawyer.

Tell Moody that I have him just want to meet.

If he wants to talk to me, I will tomorrow between 1 1 and 12 hours

and between 6 and 8 in the evening.

Tell him that.

We are done. We have to go. They will you find if you stay in Tehran for longer.

OK. Let me take my things.

We did not have time for the paperwork, so you can expect problems in Turkey,

but they will not send you back.

Go to the embassy of the USA if you are in Ankara.

We drive you through the Zagros mountains. Men from a tribe will accompany you.

They are Kurds. Most are friendly to you. They know how to bypass the checkpoints.

Do not let anyone know you American.

Be very careful with the checkpoint outside of Tehran.

Betty ...

I hope you can again soon walking in your own garden.

In America.

Hurry up.

What?

What are you doing?

Oh, God, what are you doing?

No.

Please.

Please.

- Mom? Mom. Mom, wake up! - No.

- Mamma! - No, get rid of me! Get off me!

Get off me!

- Mom. - No, it's OK. It's OK.

Turkey! Turkey!

We are home, baby.

- We are home. - Mom.

On February 9, 1986, Betty and Mahtob reunited with their family.

Many women and children are in being held abroad against their will.

Betty is now a successful writer.

And very devoted to helping those are in the same circumstances.