Not Without My Daughter (1991) - full transcript
"Moody" is an Iranian doctor living in America with his American wife Betty and their child Mahtob. Wanting to see his homeland again, he convinces his wife to take a short holiday there with him and Mahtob. Betty is reluctant, as Iran is not a pleasant place, especially if you are American and female. Upon arrival in Iran, it appears that her worst fears are realized: Moody declares that they will be living there from now on. Betty is determined to escape from Iran, but taking her daughter with her presents a larger problem.
(MAHTOB LAUGHING)
(MOODY LAUGHING)
BETTY:
Mom, you be careful,
all right?
GRANDMA:
All right.
I do think
this is longer
than it used to be.
(CHUCKLING)
Oh, what
a lovely day.
Dad is looking
so well.
Well, he is, isn't he?
Yeah.
He always was a fighter.
I know.
Look at Mahtob.
She's such
a daddy's girl.
Well, so were you.
Moody! Mahtob! Dad!
BETTY: Come on!
Fresh homemade lemonade!
Come on!
Come on, everybody!
MAHTOB:
Mom, Daddy's teaching me
how to fish, again!
(BETTY LAUGHING)
Dear, can I see
today's catch?
Oh, one of these days,
O ye of little faith.
Wait and see.
Are you having
a good time?
Yeah.
Here you go.
Dad, you want lemonade?
Yes.
Okay.
Thank you.
Ah!
Sour?
A little.
Not enough sugar?
No.
I never can
get that right.
Hey,
there you are.
Hey, Mahtob. Honey.
Mahtob.
What vitamins
do we get from lemons?
Mahtob, what vitamins
do we get from lemons?
Vitamin C.
Right.
And what vitamins
do we get from,
uh, bananas?
Vitamin C,
vitamin B,
and fiber.
Right! Right!
Wonderful.
GRANDMA:
None of my kids were
as smart as this little cutie.
That's great.
Thanks, Mom.
And what are you
going to be
when you grow up?
A nurse.
Well, you can be
a doctor as well,
you know?
A doctor
and a nurse.
I wanna know how you expect
to teach Mahtob to fish.
You've never
caught a fish in your life.
Honey, it's the best way.
This way I'm totally
unprejudiced, either way.
He bought all
this fishing equipment.
And a book on how to fish.
He's had her out there
every day for a month.
Nothing.
MOODY: Yeah, well,
if it's a choice between
your lemonade and my fishing,
I know where I stand.
MAHTOB:
I want to sit
on Daddy's lap.
Well, it's my turn.
You always sit
on Daddy's lap.
Don't fight over me, girls.
I think you should find
another available lap.
(PHONE RINGING)
(CHATTERING)
And, uh, then we have...
Thank you.
A 30-year-old woman
with a class 3 pap smear
for a TAH.
So, I think, yeah,
so I think...
DOCTOR 1: The thing
about the Iranians
is that they prayed themselves
right back into the stone age.
What I can't understand is
why anybody would
come to the States
to study medicine?
They can get
a degree in Iran
in, what, two weeks?
Seven days.
Yeah.
I understand
the Ayatollah's got some
great ideas about medicine.
Soldier gets wounded
in the field,
just let him die.
He's gonna go to
paradise anyway, right?
Certainly.
DOCTOR 2: Did you see
that newspaper over there?
Hmm, the Iranian
funny page?
DOCTOR 2:
How can he read
that thing, man?
Jesus Christ,
it's not even
written in words.
It looks like one
of my prescriptions.
I've read
that prescription.
I wouldn't mind
going to Iran.
(OPERA PLAYING ON STEREO)
(VOLUME INCREASING)
Oh, no, no, no.
Don't turn it off.
It's okay.
Honey, what's wrong?
Nothing's wrong.
I'm fine.
What's wrong?
Have you talked
to the family?
Is everything all right?
Oh, everybody's fine.
They're fine.
Oh, by the way, uh,
Mammal phoned.
He and Nasserine
have had a baby boy.
That's great.
A couple of the doctors
were making cracks
at the hospital again.
Who were they?
What does it matter?
It matters, Moody.
It matters.
We moved here
to get away
from all of that.
God, it's just so awful.
Oh, honey, forget it.
Honey, forget it.
There are dumb people
everywhere.
Forget it, honey.
"And the genie roared
with laughter.
(MIMICKING LAUGHTER)
"'O thou poor thief
of 1,000 alleyways,
"'do you think you can marry
the sultan's daughter
"'when all
the princes in Persia
are seeking her hand?'
"'You foolish slave,'
replied Aladdin, boldly.
"'Have you forgotten
the jewels in the cave?
"'You have the wits
of a donkey.
"'I should put you back
into the dirty, old lamp
where you belong.'"
Is there really
Aladdin's cave?
I'm sure
there must be.
Could we find it?
(LAUGHS) Well, I'm not sure
if I know where it is, but...
You know,
I was born in Persia.
Well, they call it
Iran now.
If I took you there,
maybe we could look
for it together,
couldn't we?
You know,
Iran's got caves
and mountains and deserts,
just like
in the story.
And mosques.
They're so beautiful,
they're like jewels.
You know, when the sun
shines on them,
they dazzle your eyes.
Would you like
to see those?
Okay, where were we?
Daddy?
Uh-huh?
Do I hate Americans?
What do you mean?
Of course not.
Lucille says
I hate Americans
because you're
from Iran.
Sweetheart,
Lucille doesn't really know
what she's talking about,
so we shouldn't pay
too much attention to her.
I've lived in America
for 20 years.
I'm as American
as apple pie,
and so are you.
Give me a kiss.
Mmm, big hugs.
Mmm, big hugs.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(MOODY CONTINUES
SPEAKING FARSI)
Oh, that was
Ameh Bozorg.
(SCOFFS) It's always
the same.
She cries and cries
on the phone.
"You're like
a son to me.
"When your mother died,
I was the one that
raised you.
"Now I'm sick, I'm dying,
you're a doctor.
"You're not here
to look after me."
Is she sick?
No, no. She's not sick.
She's 58.
She feels old,
but she's not sick.
It's the same old
guilt trip.
Oh, honey, come on.
She's your sister.
She misses you.
You have to phone her
more often.
Phoning's no good.
She wants to see me.
And now that
Mammal and Nasserine
have had their baby,
everybody's there
for the celebration except me.
It's been 10 years.
I haven't seen
my family for 10 years.
Mammal and Reza
have been here.
Why doesn't she just get on
a plane and come over here
for a visit?
She wouldn't do that.
She's hardly been
out of Teheran.
She wants to
see me over there.
They want to see us.
They've never met
you or Mahtob.
She keeps asking
why can't we go over
for a vacation.
You'll just have to
explain it to them.
Explain what?
We can't go to Iran.
Why not?
I'm not about to take
Mahtob to Iran.
It's much too violent.
We're not gonna go sightseeing
to the Persian Gulf
or anything crazy.
We're gonna spend
two weeks on vacation
with my family.
Moody, there's too much
going on over there.
Look, your family is
welcome here anytime.
You know that.
Well, if you feel
that strongly about it,
maybe you should
just go there yourself.
No, I don't mean that,
either.
None of us should go.
It's just not safe.
MAHTOB: Mommy!
Look.
I'm coming!
You're getting it
all out of proportion.
Look, I haven't seen
any of them for 10 years.
MAHTOB: Mommy!
Honey, I know how you feel.
All right,
I'm coming!
No, it's okay.
Go ahead.
Honey, I want to go
more than anything.
I miss them so much.
You're always talking about
how important family is.
All I want to do is
go for two weeks
with you and Mahtob
and visit my family.
Moody, it scares me.
What scares you, honey?
Look at me.
Do you honestly think
for one moment
that I would take you
and Mahtob anywhere
that I thought
would be dangerous?
I love you both more than
anything in the whole world.
Listen,
Mahtob's got her vacation.
She starts a new school.
It's a good time.
I swear to you
on the sacred Koran,
you won't be
in any danger,
that we'll be back
after two weeks,
and that I wouldn't
do anything
to jeopardize
yours or Mahtob's safety.
Come on, honey.
It's not such a big deal.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(ALL YELLING)
(ALL YELLING)
Look at what
they're doing.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(EXCLAIMING)
(EXCLAIMING)
Hello, Betty.
Hello.
Nasserine, it's so good
to see you.
(LAUGHING)
Fereshte, Zoreh,
this is Mahtob.
Betty! Betty!
It's Ameh Bozorg!
Sweetheart,
that's Daddy's sister.
For you and Mahtob.
Oh, my goodness!
Look!
Mahtob!
Mahtob!
Moonlight.
You are moonlight.
I know.
Mahtob means moonlight.
Mahtob, Mahtob.
Betty?
Hello.
I am so happy.
Now you can
be with us.
Oh, yes, I'm so glad.
It's only for two weeks,
but I'm very pleased.
I remember your house
in America very well.
Mammal,
so good to see you.
At last, finally
you are here, Betty.
Yes, I'm so glad
we could come
for a visit.
Congratulations
on the baby.
Thank you.
(LAUGHING)
What?
No, nothing.
She say Mahtob look like
almost exact to Moody
and to Ameh Bozorg.
(ALL CHATTERING)
MOODY:
Some reception, huh?
BETTY:
Oh, my gosh.
It's amazing.
Do you know
all these people?
All of them.
(LAUGHING)
Oh, boy. This is
all my family.
Obviously,
they really missed you.
The car's just
over here.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Go ahead, unwrap it.
It's a gift.
Oh!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Thank you.
Isn't that nice?
Oh! Thank you.
Thank you.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Go on. Put it on.
Put it on.
Now?
Yeah, well, it's a...
They've gone to
a lot of trouble.
It would make her
very happy.
All right.
You know,
it's pretty good quality.
Okay.
Go ahead.
Get in the car, okay?
(MUSIC BLARING)
God.
It all looks
so different.
I thought you said
foreign women don't
have to wear Islamic dress.
Yeah. I know.
I made a mistake.
It's all changed.
Anyway, it's only when
you leave the house or
when you go outside.
You saw the women
at the airport.
I didn't recognize
half my family.
They were
all covered.
Last time I was here,
only half of them
wore chador.
It's all new.
What would happen
if I didn't wear this?
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(BOTH SPEAKING FARSI)
She says
you'd get arrested.
(ALL ULULATING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
I have to go
to the bathroom.
Just wait.
We're almost there.
(ALL CHATTERING)
Hi.
(GOAT BLEATING)
No, no!
They're hurting him, Mommy!
They're hurting him!
Mommy, they're hurting him,
Mommy, they're hurting him.
It's their way
of saying welcome.
It's a great honor.
They give the meat
to the poor.
Honey, honey,
we have to step over it.
It's a custom.
It's expected.
Just hang on to me.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(ALL CHATTERING)
(PEOPLE CHANTING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(CHANTING)
It's the Friday prayer.
From the Teheran University.
(ALL CHANTING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Prayers.
Mmm.
(PRAYING)
(MAN CHANTING
OVER SPEAKERS)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Honey, don't forget,
we got to get some things
for your mom and dad.
Okay.
So hot.
Thank you.
Now let me do you. Okay?
(SPEAKING FARSI)
All right?
(TIRES SCREECHING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
MOODY:
Fix your scarf!
Fix your hair!
Cover your hair!
(ALL SHOUTING)
(ALL SHOUTING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Honey, I'm sorry.
They didn't know
you were a foreigner.
If they'd had known,
they wouldn't
have been so harsh.
A little bit of hair
fell out.
I know. I know.
Honey, you gotta be careful.
They're very strict
about the dress code here.
(SPEAKS FARSI)
You must to cover all.
You must not
to be careless.
Every single hair
that is not covered
is like a dagger
that you aim at
the heart of our martyrs.
Come on.
Just give it time,
sweetheart.
It's okay.
(ALL CHATTERING)
Look at these hands.
(ALL CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(ALL SHUSHING)
(WHISPERING)
Mom.
Shh.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Guess that means
we can eat.
(ALL CHATTERING)
Come on.
Sit up straight.
Is it because I didn't
wear a chador?
Honey,
you misinterpreted.
She wasn't looking
at you.
Honey, you didn't see.
She looked at me.
It was the same
feeling today
when the police
stopped me.
There was
such dislike.
It just seems so
primitive sometimes.
Yeah, well,
all religious beliefs
seem primitive
when they're not
your own.
But to cover them up
and hide them away.
Are they so afraid
of women's sexuality
or what?
No, no. That's not
the reason.
Iranian women like
to wear the chador.
It's a mark of respect.
You know,
when the Shah tried
to ban them,
they had demonstrations
in the streets.
Most women wanted
to bring it back.
I'm sorry. I know
it's a different culture.
I guess I just
don't understand it.
Why is Mammal angry at you,
and the others?
They seem to be going
at you all the time.
Yeah, well...
You know, my family,
they're very religious.
They're not sophisticated.
They're basically
country people.
It's all changed so much.
It's all back to the Koran.
It's been that way
since the revolution.
You know,
when they moved
into this house,
they got rid of
all the furniture. All of it.
Now they see me, and
I seem so Americanized.
And you have
an American wife.
Yeah.
I'm sorry.
The last thing I wanted to do
was come here and insult them
in any way.
I know, I know.
(BOTH SIGHING)
Honey, it's going to
seem strange for a while,
but believe me,
they want to love you.
They will.
I promise.
Okay.
(LAUGHING)
What?
Nothing.
No, no, nothing.
What's so funny?
You know
they think we make love
all the time.
Who?
The family.
Why?
Well.
Well, because here, you know,
after they make love,
they have to take a shower
because, you know, they can't
pray unless they do.
You know,
it's considered unclean.
You know, we're taking
two, three showers a day.
(LAUGHING)
Oh, God, what, they think
we're two rabbits
or something?
(BOTH LAUGHING)
I'm not taking another shower
the whole time we're here.
You knew that
the whole time.
They didn't know
you were such a swinger.
You know what I mean?
Yeah, but you knew
that all along.
You were out
in the hall giggling.
Every time I took a shower.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(MAN CHANTING)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
(BABA HAJJI SPEAKING FARSI)
Don't go.
I have to.
Oh, Moody,
please stay.
I can't.
Honey, you've been
getting up early
every morning
for a week and a half.
Don't go.
What's the matter
with you?
I'm with my family.
They're Sayyids.
You know what that means?
They're direct descendants
of Mohammed.
They deserve
a little respect.
MOODY:
Oh, of course,
to the sophisticated American,
that must all seem
so incredibly primitive.
(DOOR CLOSING)
(SHOUTING IN FARSI)
(KIDS CHATTERING)
MOODY: Betty.
Oh, God,
you scared me.
I wondered
where you were.
I think I got
the most beautiful picture
if I had this thing
set right.
The lights have gone.
Are you coming in?
Yeah.
Betty.
What?
Something happened
before we came out here.
What?
Well, you know,
I didn't want to
tell you about it.
We were coming out here,
so...
What, Moody,
what happened?
I got fired
from the hospital.
You got fired?
It happened
just before we left.
Literally, two days.
I can't believe it.
They can't do that.
Yes, they can.
If they can find someone
who'll do the job
for less money.
Oh, no.
And who isn't
an Iranian.
Oh.
Moody, I can't
believe that.
Your work was
going so well.
Oh, you think they like
Iranians in Michigan?
It's always there,
you know
just under the surface.
You know, not one
of my colleagues
has ever stood up for me
whenever there was
any trouble.
Honey, that's not true.
Yeah. We're talking about
the medical profession.
It's supposed to be
an educated group of people.
What are we going to do?
Well,
I'll tell you what
we're gonna do.
We're going to
go home tomorrow
and we're gonna find out
how this happened.
We'll appeal.
It's America.
We've got laws.
We've got friends.
You've got lots of friends.
And this just can't happen.
(LAUGHING)
BETTY: Hey!
Hey, will you stop that?
Look at you
messing everything up.
Now, get your own stuff
together, please.
I don't think they're
gonna let this through.
Maybe Mammal
can ship it.
Sweetheart,
listen to me.
Do you want to pack Toby Bunny
or do you want to carry him?
It's gonna be
awfully hot.
Pack him.
Okay, pack him.
Sit down here right now
and fold up
all those clothes
you messed up.
Can I put him
in the suitcase?
Yes, you may.
Sweetheart, you haven't
packed anything.
You want me
to do it for you?
No.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
You must take passport
to the airport
three days before
to get approval.
You have not done this.
Approval?
What approval?
It is no time.
You must to get stamp.
You cannot leave today.
Well, when can we leave?
When's the next flight?
I don't know.
Moody, what is this?
I don't know.
We'll have to wait for
the next available flight,
I guess.
How could you
not take care
of the passports?
Didn't somebody tell you
about this, Moody?
How could you
let this happen?
It's a mistake.
Nobody thought about it.
Well, then, we'll go
to the airport,
and we'll tell them
we didn't know about
the three-day requirement.
Maybe they'll just
let us through.
And if not,
we'll just sit there
and we'll wait
for the next flight.
I don't know
how to say this to you.
We're not going back.
We're staying here.
What do you mean?
How long?
I want to get a job here,
in a hospital.
What?
I want us
to live in Iran.
No.
No.
There's nothing
for me in America.
No.
No. What...
What, are you crazy?
We're Americans.
Your daughter's
an American.
Moody, honey,
you're upset about
your job and everything,
I understand that.
We're gonna go back today
and we're gonna fix it.
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 held the Koran
and swore to me that
nothing was gonna happen.
Mommy.
You were planning this
all the time.
You lied to me.
Mommy, aren't we
going home today?
Yes, we are, honey.
I want you
to go downstairs
and I want you to say
goodbye to everybody.
All right.
(DOOR CLOSING)
BETTY: Moody, I know
what's been going on.
They've got no right.
You've got to resist it.
Moody, I know how much
you miss your family,
how guilty
they make you feel.
I know the kind of pressure
they're putting on you.
I know you want to
spend some time here.
I promise you
we'll come back,
we'll spend time here.
But we can't stay here.
This is a backward,
primitive country.
I won't live here.
I won't bring up
my daughter here.
How can you even consider
raising Mahtob here?
Don't you see
how they treat women?
I know it's
the right decision
if you just
give it a chance.
No.
For all of us.
For you and for Mahtob.
No, Moody,
you can't mean this.
I'm a highly qualified
doctor.
They're desperate
for doctors in Iran.
I could do
a lot of good here.
Please.
Besides, I'm a Muslim.
Please.
This is where
I should be.
This is where
my family should be.
Please, please don't do this.
Look, I know
it seems harsh,
but it's best thing
for all of us.
Mahtob could learn
real values here!
No! I won't stay here!
You can't keep me...
Now, you listen to me.
You're in my country now.
You're my wife.
You do as I say.
You understand me?
We're staying here.
(DOOR SLAMMING)
Mammal, would you
translate for me?
Please excuse me if I don't
get my words straight.
I'm a bit shaken up.
I wanted to come down here
and talk to you
to see if you could
understand my feelings.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Moody and I have been
married for seven years.
We've loved each other
very much.
And we have
trusted each other.
Trust was always
very important.
(MAMMAL SPEAKING FARSI)
I didn't want
to come here.
Moody knew that.
I made it very clear to him.
The only reason I came
was to visit
with all of you
and so that you could
meet our daughter.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
But I was frightened.
And so Moody swore to me
on the holy Koran
that nothing would happen.
That nothing like this
could happen.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
He held the Koran,
and he swore to me.
Isn't that true, Moody?
Isn't that true?
I had to.
You wouldn't have
come with me if I hadn't.
Baba Hajji,
you're a religious man.
How can Moody
swear on the Koran
and then do this to me?
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(ALL YELLING IN FARSI)
Allah will forgive him.
(YELLING IN FARSI)
No, no!
Ameh Bozorg,
Ameh Bozorg,
please help me, please!
(ALL SHOUTING IN FARSI)
No! You can't do this!
God damn you!
God damn you!
You can't keep me here!
You had this planned
all along!
Damn you!
I'll be with you.
I'll help you.
Will you try
to go to sleep?
(DOOR OPENING)
Where are the checkbooks
and credit cards?
And I'll need the house keys
and the keys to the car.
They're in the small bag,
I think.
BETTY: Moody,
talk to me, please.
There's nothing more
to say.
Oh, Moody, please!
(DOOR SHUTS)
Please talk to me!
(BETTY SOBBING)
BETTY: Moody!
Moody, please!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
MOODY: I told you
to stop calling here.
No, she's not available.
Yeah, well,
she's also my wife,
which means she wants
to do what I want.
Look, you're not
helping him
by doing this.
Yes. I know that very well,
and I'm very sorry,
but this isn't going to
help his illness go away.
So please
leave us alone.
No, I will not discuss...
Look, I really don't
care about that.
The State Department can do
what the hell it likes!
Betty,
you've got to eat.
You can't keep
this up.
You're going to
make yourself very sick.
You know, if I thought
you really wanted
to stay here,
we could have
such a great life.
You know,
when I first heard
the Shah was leaving Iran,
just after Mahtob was born,
I couldn't believe it.
It was just amazing.
They had everyone
on the streets,
millions of people.
I should have been here.
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 nothing can stop us."
You can't imagine
what that was like.
I know things
have been hard for you.
They'll get better.
I promise you.
Dear Lord,
hear our prayer.
Dear Lord,
hear our prayer.
Please help us leave Iran
and get back to America.
Please help us leave Iran
and get back to America.
Please let
nothing separate us.
Please let
nothing separate us.
And keep us always safe
in your care.
And keep us always safe
in your care.
Amen.
Amen.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(PHONE RINGING)
Hello.
GRANDMA:
Hello, Betty.
Mom!
Don't talk.
Just listen.
Mom. Oh, God!
You are to go to
the American Interests Section
of the Swiss Embassy.
There is no US Embassy
in Iran anymore.
Okay.
It's on
Kiribah Fereshteh Street.
Kiribah.
Their number is 625475.
625475.
What are you doing?
I knew from the beginning...
It was ringing.
I answered it.
...something dangerous...
Why do you want
to humiliate me
in front of my family?
I've told you before,
you don't touch the phone!
And you don't leave
the house!
Now do you understand me?
Yes!
(PHONE RINGING)
MAN: Swiss Embassy.
(WHISPERING)
American Interests Section.
I can't hear you calling.
You'll have to talk louder.
I can't talk louder.
I can't hear you, caller.
Are you there, caller?
Are you there, caller?
Please, help me.
I'm being held hostage.
You'll have to talk louder,
caller, you're very faint.
I can't.
I'm being held hostage.
Please help me.
I'm sorry
I can't hear you, caller.
(PHONE CLICKS)
Who were you talking to?
When?
Before, on the phone.
No one.
It was nothing.
Now don't lie to me.
I know you're lying to me.
Stop it, Daddy!
Stop it!
It's okay, honey.
It's between Mommy and me.
It was
nothing, really.
I tried to call Nasserine,
I got the wrong number.
(CHUCKLES)
What do you think, huh?
You think you can
lie to me?
You think you can do
anything in this house
without me knowing
about it?
My family
tell me everything.
They're watching you
all the time.
So, please,
don't be stupid.
Mommy isn't stupid.
By the way,
she's gonna have to
start school pretty soon.
We'll have to get her
the right clothes.
I don't want
to go to school.
(DOOR SLAMMING)
Moody, what school?
When?
(CAR HONKING)
American Interests...
Uh, the Swiss Embassy.
Swiss Embassy.
Kiribah Fereshteh is
the name of the street.
Kiribah Fereshteh.
(MAN ON INTERCOM
SPEAKING FARSI)
Swiss Embassy.
My name is
Betty Mahmoody.
I'm an American citizen.
Show your passport inside.
(GATE BUZZER RINGING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Thank you.
Passport.
We don't have
our passports.
My husband has them.
We're American citizens.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
You can go.
We can go.
Mommy,
we can go home!
My name is
Nicole Ajamian.
Betty Mahmoody.
This is my daughter
Mahtob.
Please, do sit.
Thank you.
We're so glad
to see you.
Um...
I spoke with my mother
in the United States.
And I know that
the State Department
is into this.
We're just very happy
to be here.
We'll sleep anywhere
for as long as it takes
until you can get us out.
What are you
talking about?
You cannot stay here.
I can't go back
to my husband.
I want to go home
to the United States.
That may be,
but you are in Iran.
You are married
to an Iranian?
Yes.
Then you are
an Iranian citizen.
No, no, I'm not.
I'm an American citizen,
and my daughter
is an American citizen.
We were born
in the United States.
We have American
passports.
I mean, we don't...
We don't have them with us.
My husband has them.
We've never changed
our citizenship.
If you marry
an Iranian man,
you automatically become
an Iranian citizen.
The laws regarding women
are very strict.
You cannot travel anywhere
without written permission.
You have no rights
to the children.
They go to the man
in a divorce.
I'm sorry,
but you will have to
go back to your husband.
But we'll never
get out of Iran.
We're being held hostage.
It was almost impossible
to come here.
Mrs. Mahmoody, there are many
American women here
in similar circumstances.
May I ask you
why you came to Iran?
I don't know.
I don't know.
I was afraid to come.
I wanted to please him.
I trusted him.
I was frightened to come,
but I never thought
this would happen.
I thought of him
as an American.
He's changed.
Oh, God, he's changed.
Look, Mrs. Mahmoody,
many came back
after the revolution
feeling guilty
about being away,
about turning
their backs on Iran
and on Islam.
Now Iran is
an Islamic state,
and that's a wonderful thing
for many Iranians.
Well, if there is
anything I can do,
maybe if you need to
organize telephone calls
to the US,
or you want to
write letters home...
(BLEATING)
(MAN CALLING SHEEP)
So, if Daddy asks,
we went for a walk
and got lost, okay?
(YELLING IN FARSI)
Mommy! Mommy!
Where were you, huh?
I went for a walk!
I went...
I went out for a walk,
and I got lost!
Where were you?
We went for a walk...
Shut up!
You try anything
like this again,
I'll kill you!
(SOBBING)
Oh, my God.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(CHILDREN SINGING)
CHILDREN:
* Happy birthday to you
(SPEAKING FARSI)
* 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
(CHILDREN LAUGHING)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(DOOR OPENING)
Hi.
Hi.
Nasserine said
you wanted to see me.
I can't believe
she's five, can you?
No.
Thank you for today,
the doll
and everything.
I miss her.
It seems I haven't
spent much time
with her lately.
Moody,
I want to make it work.
You were such
a wonderful father today.
It brought it all back.
Honey, I want you
to be happy.
I want to
make you happy.
I need you to help me.
Oh, Betty.
I didn't want it
to be like this.
I love you.
I never want
to hurt you.
Oh, Moody.
Moody, I need you...
I need you to help me.
We can't stay
in this house.
It's my sister's house.
She'd be insulted
if we went away.
No, no, she doesn't
really want us here.
She doesn't like me.
We've got nowhere else to go.
Yes, we do.
We could stay with
Mammal and Nasserine.
We helped them when
they were in the States.
Nasserine goes
to classes.
I could baby-sit.
I could help.
Please.
Oh, Betty...
I don't want
to lose you.
BETTY: I want you to tell me
anything I can ever do.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
The kitchen. Kitchen.
Kitchen.
(BOTH SPEAKING FARSI)
You teach me.
I'll cook for you.
I'm so grateful, Nasserine.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Thank you so much.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
I was just telling him
that, uh, the same rules
apply as before.
MOODY: Mammal.
(DOOR SHUTS)
MOODY: You have to wear
chador tonight.
Oh?
My uncle's a Mullah.
He's highly respected.
He's a very
influential man.
He's written
books on Islam.
Maybe he's gonna
help me get a job.
(EXCLAIMS)
Betty, you are
a very good Iranian cook.
Thank you.
You are lucky people.
Why you wear chador?
I thought I had to.
But why?
Chador is
Persian tradition.
It's not necessary
to wear it inside.
It is exaggerated
with some people now.
Mahmood told me
you read Koran.
Yes. I try.
I like to.
Very good.
You go to Koran class?
No.
Mahmood must
send you there.
They are in
English language.
Would you like?
Yes, very much.
The Hadith, or reports,
of the collected sayings
of the Prophet
with additional commentaries
by devout and learned men.
In our readings
from the Koran,
we'll pause to consider
the Hadith when appropriate.
What page are we on?
I don't know.
She just...
You're American.
Yeah.
...since the death of Adam
without there being on it
an imam guiding
the people to God.
(WOMEN LAUGHING)
BETTY: You're kidding?
I'm from Chicago
but I lived in Michigan.
Where in Michigan?
Near Lansing.
Where near Lansing?
Oh, it's a little place.
You wouldn't know it. Owosso.
Are you... I lived there
for five years. I went
to grammar school there.
I lived on the corner
of Linden and Noleen.
ELLEN:
My husband's a doctor.
He had
his own practice there.
BETTY:
My husband's a doctor, too.
I can't believe this!
(BOTH LAUGHING)
And now I work for
an English language magazine
for Islamic women.
Have you become Muslim?
Mmm-hmm.
Did you convert?
Well, I wanted to,
I guess.
My husband was happy
I did.
(LAUGHS)
It made things
a lot better.
Uh, I'll...
I got to go.
Ellen, it's been so...
No, really.
BETTY: Moody.
You'll never guess.
I just met
an American woman in class.
She's from Owasso.
Her husband's a doctor.
Are they here?
No, they just left.
She's invited us over.
Is that all right?
Yeah, that's fine.
I want you to ask questions
when you're out
with your daddy.
Uh-huh.
I want you to
ask him questions
about taxis and buses.
And how much
things cost.
Okay.
All right?
Ask him questions
about the signs.
What the signs mean,
what they say.
All right.
And then you'll be
able to teach me.
Why do you want
to learn all that?
I'm gonna have to
if we're gonna
get out of here.
MOODY: It's got lentils
and beans.
And what's that?
That's his name
on the sign.
What's he selling?
That's sabzi.
See, it's all kinds of things
that they sell here.
These are pictures
of all the people
that died in the war.
They put the pictures up
so everybody remembers them.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(REPEATING)
(NASSERINE LAUGHING)
Yeah, that's one, too.
Why all these questions,
honey?
What's that?
Well, that's
the rest of the market.
And look,
here's some fruit here.
MAHTOB:
What do they do?
They sprinkle sugar
on the beets, and it's
almost like a candy.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
The moment
the Shah left,
I wanted to go
back to Iran,
but Ellen didn't
want to.
So I said, uh, "Fine.
"I'll go without you."
(CHUCKLING)
So, uh, she came.
The first year in Iran,
things were very bad
between us.
She couldn't adjust.
Could you, Ellen?
I took quite a time
before she understood
how to be a good wife.
Ooh.
(ELLEN EXCLAIMING)
Warm, isn't it?
Yes.
Why did you come back?
I mean, my God!
He let you go home
to the States,
and you came back.
Maybe,
at the beginning if...
Of course there was
the custody problem
with the kids, so...
It was
tough for me.
You know,
I had no experience.
Small American town.
Was he violent?
Not in the States, never.
You're not supposed to,
you know. It's not Islamic.
Marriages do work out here.
They can be good.
It's been hard
for me at times,
but you've got to
give it time, Betty.
Islam has
such beauty in it.
I mean, I'm glad
my kids are growing up
as Muslims.
Ellen, I'm so happy
we've become friends.
I mean, you told me
you were from home.
I was so thrilled!
It's like a miracle.
Ellen.
I have something
I want to tell you.
If I do,
can you keep it
a secret?
Not tell your husband?
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Ellen, I'm sorry.
Please, please forget
I spoke.
No, it's okay.
Go ahead.
I won't tell him.
That's a promise.
Would you take
this letter for me?
I'm trying to get back home
to America with my daughter.
My family is working on it,
but there's nothing I can do.
Moody knows where I am
every single minute.
(DOOR OPENING)
(MEN LAUGHING)
Are you crazy?
Don't you realize
what can happen?
Terrible things.
You just can't, Betty.
You know, if you were caught,
they could execute you.
(WHISPERING)
It's for the Embassy.
(BOTH SPEAKING IN FARSI)
(MOODY CHUCKLING)
Can you believe that?
They're desperate
for doctors in Iran.
They got
thousands of casualties
from the war.
But because
I trained in America,
no one will give me a job.
That is not the reason.
(BOTH SPEAKING FARSI)
I'm telling you,
hard to believe that
this country was getting
quite sophisticated
before the revolution.
I mean, we were building
chemical plants,
oil refineries.
Multi-million dollar
installations.
And what's happened?
They're all rotting
in the desert because nobody
knows how to operate them.
It's all so primitive!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Honey, somebody needs
to go to the market.
We're out
of meat and things.
Yeah, I can't go.
But it's for tonight's dinner.
Well, I can't go.
It'll have to wait
till Nasserine gets back.
But she's home so late,
what'll we do tonight?
I don't know.
Can't you go by yourself
for a change?
Yeah, I can, really.
I know the way,
it's not far.
I'll take the children.
(BABY COUGHING)
You give me a list
of everything you need,
and I'll tell you
exactly how long
it'll take
and what time
for you to be back here.
Take the baby with you.
Mahtob can stay
here with me.
(ALL SHOUTING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
You are American?
Yes.
I need dosari
for the telephone.
I was in America
many times.
Uh, New York,
uh, Amarillo, Texas.
You want to telephone?
Please, come, please.
Thank you.
BETTY: American
Interests Section.
Nicole Ajamian.
Nicole, it's Betty.
Have you heard anything
from the State Department yet?
No! I can't.
I can't... Because
he watches me all the time,
or he has somebody watch me.
I didn't know that.
Will they let us go
if I get a divorce?
What?
I can't do that.
I can't do that.
I won't leave her.
Nicole, Nicole,
I won't leave her.
All right. I will get
to the Embassy if I can.
Thank you.
You're very kind.
You can use the telephone
when you want.
No problem.
Thank you.
I like America very much.
My son was, uh,
with University of Texas.
That is my son.
He's a martyr for the war.
My name is Hamid.
Anytime for telephone,
you come here.
I'm Betty.
MAHTOB: Who's gonna take me
to school tomorrow?
I don't know, honey.
It'll either be me,
or it'll be Daddy.
But I want you to.
I don't know
if I can, Mahtob.
Why can't you?
Honey,
I promise you
I'll be there,
and everything
will be all right.
Okay?
Come on.
Dear Lord.
Dear Lord.
Hear our prayer.
Hear our prayer.
We beg you to
help us leave Iran.
We beg you to
help us leave Iran.
And get back to America.
And get back to America.
Please let
nothing separate us.
(MAHTOB CRYING)
BETTY: I know, honey.
I know.
I'll be back this afternoon,
sweetheart, I'll be back.
I'll be back, sweetheart.
Sweetheart, I'll be back,
I'll be here, sweetheart.
(CRYING)
Don't worry, baby.
Mommy, please!
(MUTTERS)
(MAHTOB CRYING)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
Take the baby.
I'll get the rice.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Hamid, I can't stay.
You must to come inside.
There is someone here.
Miss Nassimi.
She came to help you.
Hamid told me
you wish to leave Iran.
You know
it is extremely dangerous.
I have to get back
to the United States.
Why don't you try
to get a divorce?
No!
No, if I get a divorce,
then my husband will get
custody of my daughter.
I can't do that.
If they catch you trying
to escape with your daughter,
they could execute you.
I can't leave her here.
Look, I have...
Please.
Wait.
I think we can help you.
My brother has helped
many people here.
I will be here
Wednesday and Thursday
at this time
if you can come.
Here is
my telephone number.
Memorize it.
Please, don't keep it.
Thank you.
(NASSERINE SPEAKING FARSI)
(BOTH SPEAKING FARSI)
I got the rice.
I'm sorry.
(NASSERINE CHATTERING
IN FARSI)
What happened?
She was crying all day,
and I had to go
pick her up.
We can't make her do this,
Moody. She's frightened.
I know.
Tomorrow they want you
to go to school with her.
Okay.
They want you to
stay with her every day.
Of course.
Of course,
I'll stay with her.
They're all
devout women there.
You'll be watched.
Okay.
I just want
Mahtob to be happy.
I want her to have
a happy childhood.
Don't you want
to give her that?
Islam's the greatest gift
I can give my child.
(TEACHER AND STUDENTS
CHANTING)
(ALL SCREAMING)
(BOMB EXPLODING)
(ALL SCREAMING)
(ALARM BLARING)
(ALL SCREAMING)
You said
there'd be no danger.
Do you remember, Moody?
Mahtob could
have been killed.
America's doing this!
Who supplying the bombs
who supplies the planes?
Whose backing Iraq?
Don't be so naive,
America's responsible
for this war! No one else!
(POLICE SIREN WAILING)
You should not behave
this way.
I had to tell Hormoz.
It is your duty as a wife
to tell your husband
everything!
You cannot have secrets.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(WOMEN CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Very nice,
very nice.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Mahtob. Very nice.
Very nice.
I am very sorry.
It's bad in Iran.
Bad for you
and your husband.
I'm sorry.
We help you.
We help you, help you.
Could I use the telephone?
Telephone?
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(ALL CHATTER)
Husband, no telephone.
You, inside,
you, inside.
Right.
You come after morning.
11, after morning.
I can come late
with Mahtob?
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(WOMEN SPEAKING FARSI)
Thank you.
HOUSSEIN:
There are three principal
ways out of Iran.
You could go to Baluchistan
and then across the mountains
into Pakistan.
In the southwest
to Bandar Abbas,
then across the gulf
by boat to Oman.
This is
the most dangerous route.
From Teheran
across the Zagros mountains
through Kurdistan
into Turkey.
There are checkpoints
everywhere,
and the border crossing's
very heavily armed.
Which way
do you think is best?
The gulf.
How much will it cost?
When you and your daughter
are safely back in America,
then if you can,
perhaps you will reimburse me.
Dollars would be
of more help to me
than Iranian currency.
Keep in touch
with my sister.
Right.
(WOMEN CHATTERING IN FARSI)
BETTY:
Run, run, run.
(SCREAMING)
MOODY:
Where were you, hmm?
MAHTOB:
Stop it, Daddy, stop it.
Where you been?
(BETTY SCREAMING)
(GROANING)
(BETTY SCREAMING)
Mommy! Mommy!
Get up! Get up!
Get up!
(BETTY SCREAMING)
(BETTY GRUNTING)
I'm gonna kill you.
I'm gonna cut you up.
You're gonna be dead!
Get out.
MOODY: Betty!
Betty!
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(COIN CLINKING)
(SOBBING)
Nicole Ajamian.
Nicole Ajamian.
(SOBBING)
Nicole.
He's gonna kill me.
He's gonna kill me.
He said he was gonna
kill me.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(STUDENTS SPEAKING FARSI)
(TEACHER SPEAKING FARSI)
(STUDENTS SPEAKING FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
This woman is
from the Embassy.
I need to take Mahtob.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Impossible.
Child goes to father.
You don't understand.
He's gonna kill me.
I have to get
my daughter.
Madame, you wait.
Husband come.
I want my baby!
Madame, madame.
I want my baby.
Madame.
(ALL CHATTERING)
BETTY:
I want my baby!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Betty, they won't
let you take her.
The State Department
wants you to go
to the Iranian
Foreign Minister
and ask for his help.
No!
The State Department
can't do anything.
They can't help me now.
Don't you know that?
They don't even understand
the culture. They'll only
make things worse.
Madame, you wait
for your husband.
Tell her
I want my baby.
I want my baby!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
I cannot.
Please, please, please.
(BETTY SOBBING)
Please.
(BELL RINGING)
(SOBBING)
Listen, honey.
Don't talk right now.
Because I have
to tell you
you can't talk about Hamid
or the Embassy.
Because if you do,
they'll never let us get away.
Don't say anything.
Do you hear me?
Mommy, don't leave me.
Don't go away.
I promise you.
I promise you
I won't leave you.
Do you hear?
I won't leave you.
Where are Mammal
and Nasserine?
You, don't ask questions.
Is that enough for you
sweetheart?
They've moved in
with Ameh Bozorg.
BETTY: Moody,
what're you doing?
(SCREAMING)
Moody, Moody,
please, please.
Please don't take her, Moody.
Please don't take her.
Moody, Moody,
Moody, please!
(LOCK CLICKING)
Moody!
Moody!
Moody!
(SOBBING)
Moody, don't take her!
Don't take her.
(BETTY CRYING)
MOODY: Does Mommy ever
take you on adventures?
Come on.
Where does she take you?
To Koran class.
We saw some camels.
Yeah?
You go anywhere else?
How come you were late
for school yesterday?
Where were you?
We got lost.
No, you didn't, Mahtob.
I know you didn't!
We did, we did!
(AMEH BOZORG YELLING)
Where the hell were you?
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Where were you?
MAHTOB: We got lost!
Stop you lying to me.
Where were you?
We got lost!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(MOODY SPEAKING FARSI)
(MUMBLING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(AMEH BOZORG CHATTERING)
(DOOR CLOSING)
Moody.
Moody, please don't leave.
How is Mahtob?
(LOCK CLICKING)
Please. Please tell me.
(SOBBING)
Is she all right?
(MEN CHANTING)
(SIREN BLARING)
(AIRPLANE APPROACHING)
(BOMB EXPLODING)
(WHISPERS)
Mahtob.
Mahtob.
(SIREN WAILING)
(DOOR OPENING)
MOODY: Betty?
Betty?
Mahtob! Mahtob!
You brought her
back to me.
(SOBBING)
Thank you. Thank you.
(SOBBING)
Thank you.
Thank you.
ALL:
* Happy birthday to you
* Happy birthday to you
* Happy birthday,
dear Mahtob
* Happy birthday to you
(AMEH BOZORG SPEAKING FARSI)
(ALL SINGING)
(CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(ALL CHATTERING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(WOMEN SINGING)
(CHILDREN CHATTERING)
Will you be all right?
Yes, but when
will you be back?
I'll be back
as soon as I can.
All right.
All right.
You be brave.
I will.
(CHILDREN CHATTERING)
HOUSSEIN: We will fly you
to Bandar Abbas
and then take you
by speedboat
across the gulf.
I'll never be able
to thank you.
Please, Betty,
there's really no need.
Just make
the journey safely.
I wish you could have
seen this in the summer.
All the flowers
are gone now.
Gardens have always had
a special place in Persia
throughout our history.
In fact,
the word "paradise"
is a Persian word.
It's hard to believe,
isn't it,
that the idea of paradise
will always be
intimately connected
with Iran?
Whenever I think of
what's happening
to my country,
I try to remember
its gardens.
You must try
and phone me, now,
whenever you can.
By Christmas
you'll be home.
* Joy to the world
* The Lord has come
* Let Earth
receive her king
* Let every heart
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(AMEH BOZORG EXCLAIMING)
Merry Christmas.
HOUSSEIN:
I'm sorry, Betty, but
the gulf got too dangerous.
There are warships everywhere,
and they're checking
all the civilian boats.
Zahedan is safer,
so I booked a flight
for you and Mahtob
on Wednesday,
29th January,
10 days from now.
Wednesday.
Good, Moody's
at the hospitals
on Wednesdays.
On the 29th, I'd like you
to take Mahtob to
the school bus as usual.
We will pick you both up
from the bus stop,
take you to a safe house
until it's time
to get you to the airport.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
BETTY:
Was he in pain?
Is he now?
How much?
How long has he known?
So he's not responding
in any way to the treatment?
What is it?
(INAUDIBLE)
And they all felt that way?
What?
Mother, would you
hold on for a moment?
It's my father.
He's not doing well.
They feel they should
operate...
Tell her we'll go
to America to see him.
Tell her you're going.
Go on.
Tell her
you're gonna see him.
Tell her now.
Mom, Moody says
we can come home.
I'm sorry
about your father.
Thank you.
Moody, will you be able
to come home with us?
No, I can't go.
I'd lose my job
at the hospital.
But it's all right
for Mahtob to come?
No, she can't go either.
She's got school.
You'll have to
go on your own.
I can't go without Mahtob.
Why not?
Of course, you can,
you'll see your father.
What's the problem?
I won't go without her.
(SIGHING)
Betty.
You'll leave
as soon as possible.
You'll see your father,
and then you'll liquidate
all our assets in the States.
MOODY: It's my money,
and I want it!
(DOOR SLAMMING)
HOUSSEIN:
Don't do it, Betty.
If you go,
you'll never see
your daughter again.
He won't allow you
back into the country.
BETTY:
My father is dying,
I've got to go see him.
I don't think
he'd want you to, Betty.
If he knew that it meant
losing your daughter.
Why can't I go now,
and then come back?
Maybe later try to get out.
You can't leave Mahtob here.
Not with Moody's family.
They're from the provinces.
They're more fanatical
than most.
This regime
only encourages them.
Look, there are
some people in this country
that consider a girl
ready for marriage
at nine years of age.
Child brides are not unknown.
If you want to
be free with Mahtob,
then you've got to leave on
the 29th, as we agreed.
But he may
send me out before,
maybe even tomorrow,
I don't know.
He hasn't said.
(SHOUTING IN FARSI)
HOUSSEIN:
For the war.
They take them
younger and younger.
Twelve years old,
some of them.
They give them
plastic keys to paradise,
made in Taiwan,
and tell them that they'll
go straight to heaven
if they die
for their country.
They use them sometimes
to clear the mine fields.
Children run across the field
and get blown to pieces.
Okay.
We've only a week to go.
He's got to get
your passport validated.
He can't do it in the time.
Believe me,
it's just not possible.
He trusts you now.
Try and do anything
you can to delay him.
MOODY:
Where were you?
Moody, I went
to the market.
I wanted to buy
my father some gifts,
but I couldn't find
anything I liked.
Huh. The one day
I come home early.
I've let you go.
I've given you freedom.
Okay, now listen to me.
If you don't do
exactly as I say,
I'm gonna have to lock you up
for the rest of your life.
And that means you'll never,
never see Mahtob again.
You understand me?
Now, on the 26th,
you get on
that plane to America.
You do exactly as I say.
You send everything back here,
and then you return.
And in the meantime,
you do not touch the phone,
and you don't step one foot
outside this house!
Now is that clear?
Yes.
Moody?
You booked
for the 26th?
What do you mean?
Of course, I booked.
You got the validation?
Remember last time?
Zia knows people.
It's all been done.
(ALL SPEAKING FARSI)
I hope your father
gets well.
I'm sorry I can't
see you off tomorrow.
(PHONE RINGING)
Please come back to us.
We love you.
Your father will be
very happy to see you.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
There's an emergency.
They want me to go back
to the hospital.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(MOODY SPEAKS FARSI)
I've got to go.
(SINGING)
(AMEH BOZORG CHATTERING)
BETTY:
I have to go to the market.
There's a few things
that I need
for the khoresht.
It'll take me
about 20 minutes.
Uh, I'll go...
Oh, no, no, no.
It's all right.
I need
some fresh air anyway.
I'd like to buy
some gifts for my father.
There's just been no time.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Honey, Mahtob.
Wanna get your scarf
and your jacket?
(AMEH BOZORG EXCLAIMS)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(PEOPLE SHOUTING)
(AMEH BOZORG SPEAKING FARSI)
(ALL CLAMORING)
Houssein.
Houssein.
Houssein,
I have her with me.
Houssein, listen to me,
this is the last chance
I have.
We have to leave now.
Betty, come.
(DOOR SHUTS)
NASSIMI:
My brother wants you to call
your husband and delay him.
But first,
I must call Houssein
and tell him you're safe.
I forgot Toby Bunny.
What?
I forgot Toby Bunny.
Honey, honey,
do you wanna
go home to America?
Mahtob,
stop crying.
Stop crying.
(SNIFFING)
Listen now,
if we go back
and get Toby Bunny,
we have to
stay there with Daddy.
Now do you want that?
When will I see
my daddy again?
I don't know.
Stop crying now.
I love you.
I love you.
You be my big, brave girl.
All right, now.
No, Moody.
I'm not gonna get
on that airplane.
MOODY: Why not?
What are you trying to do?
What are you planning, Betty?
Nothing.
I'm not planning anything.
I'm gonna call the police.
Well, then you go ahead
and call the police.
Because there are a few things
I'd like to tell them, too.
Like what?
Like,
I know the clinic isn't legal.
You don't have
an operating permit.
How do you know?
I know. I found out.
I found out.
What, I sit there
all day long.
You think I wouldn't notice
a thing like that?
What do you want to do to me?
I'm only trying
to be good to you.
You want to be happy,
don't you?
Yes.
Well, then we don't need
the police, do we?
I agree.
It's not gonna be necessary...
That won't be necessary.
Now, once we get together,
we'll talk about this, Betty,
huh?
Um...
Betty.
Well, I'll have
to think about it.
Yeah, yeah. Well,
you better think about it,
because I don't believe
a word you say anymore.
How could you do this?
How could you take
Mahtob away?
You're stealing my child.
No, no, no, no.
I'm not gonna promise you
anything, Betty.
You're my wife!
Now get your ass back here!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Hello, Betty.
This is Zia.
Zia,
I want you to tell Moody
that I have a lawyer.
Tell Moody I won't
meet with him alone.
If he wants to
talk with me,
I'll be there
between 11:00 and 12:00
tomorrow morning,
and 6:00 and 8:00
tomorrow afternoon.
You tell him that.
We're ready.
We must go now.
They'll find you
if you stay
any longer in Teheran.
BETTY: Okay.
Okay, let me
get my things.
HOUSSEIN:
We've had no time
to organize any paperwork,
so you may have
some difficulty
in Turkey.
But at least
they won't send you
back here.
Try to get to
the US Embassy
when you get to Ankara.
We'll drive you to
the Zagros mountains.
Tribesmen will
take you across.
They're Kurdish.
Most of them are friendly.
They know the route
and how to avoid
all the checkpoints.
Now, you must not
let anybody know
you're American.
First you must be
very careful of the checkpoint
outside Teheran.
Betty,
very soon, I hope,
you will be strolling again
in your own garden at home,
in America.
(CAR ENGINE STARTING)
(POLICE SIREN BLARING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(POLICE SIREN BLARING)
BETTY: Hurry.
(MAN SPEAKING FARSI)
(CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(POLICE SIREN BLARING)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(GUARDS CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(HORSES NEIGHING)
What?
BETTY:
What are you doing?
Oh, God.
What are you doing?
No.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Please.
Please.
(GUN FIRING)
(MAN SHOUTING)
(MEN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(CONTINUE SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(WHISTLING)
Mommy. Mommy. Mommy.
Mommy, wake up.
Wake up, Mommy.
Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Don't! Don't! Get off me!
Mommy.
Don't, don't!
Get off me!
(MAN SHOUTING)
Get off me.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(SHOUTS)
(ENGINE REVVING)
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(MEN CHATTERING)
(MAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Mommy!
Shh! Don't.
No, it's okay. It's okay.
(WIND HOWLING)
(SPEAKS FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(SPEAKS FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(NEIGHING)
(MAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(HORSE NEIGHING)
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LAUGHING)
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
We're home, baby.
We're home.
Mommy.
(MOODY LAUGHING)
BETTY:
Mom, you be careful,
all right?
GRANDMA:
All right.
I do think
this is longer
than it used to be.
(CHUCKLING)
Oh, what
a lovely day.
Dad is looking
so well.
Well, he is, isn't he?
Yeah.
He always was a fighter.
I know.
Look at Mahtob.
She's such
a daddy's girl.
Well, so were you.
Moody! Mahtob! Dad!
BETTY: Come on!
Fresh homemade lemonade!
Come on!
Come on, everybody!
MAHTOB:
Mom, Daddy's teaching me
how to fish, again!
(BETTY LAUGHING)
Dear, can I see
today's catch?
Oh, one of these days,
O ye of little faith.
Wait and see.
Are you having
a good time?
Yeah.
Here you go.
Dad, you want lemonade?
Yes.
Okay.
Thank you.
Ah!
Sour?
A little.
Not enough sugar?
No.
I never can
get that right.
Hey,
there you are.
Hey, Mahtob. Honey.
Mahtob.
What vitamins
do we get from lemons?
Mahtob, what vitamins
do we get from lemons?
Vitamin C.
Right.
And what vitamins
do we get from,
uh, bananas?
Vitamin C,
vitamin B,
and fiber.
Right! Right!
Wonderful.
GRANDMA:
None of my kids were
as smart as this little cutie.
That's great.
Thanks, Mom.
And what are you
going to be
when you grow up?
A nurse.
Well, you can be
a doctor as well,
you know?
A doctor
and a nurse.
I wanna know how you expect
to teach Mahtob to fish.
You've never
caught a fish in your life.
Honey, it's the best way.
This way I'm totally
unprejudiced, either way.
He bought all
this fishing equipment.
And a book on how to fish.
He's had her out there
every day for a month.
Nothing.
MOODY: Yeah, well,
if it's a choice between
your lemonade and my fishing,
I know where I stand.
MAHTOB:
I want to sit
on Daddy's lap.
Well, it's my turn.
You always sit
on Daddy's lap.
Don't fight over me, girls.
I think you should find
another available lap.
(PHONE RINGING)
(CHATTERING)
And, uh, then we have...
Thank you.
A 30-year-old woman
with a class 3 pap smear
for a TAH.
So, I think, yeah,
so I think...
DOCTOR 1: The thing
about the Iranians
is that they prayed themselves
right back into the stone age.
What I can't understand is
why anybody would
come to the States
to study medicine?
They can get
a degree in Iran
in, what, two weeks?
Seven days.
Yeah.
I understand
the Ayatollah's got some
great ideas about medicine.
Soldier gets wounded
in the field,
just let him die.
He's gonna go to
paradise anyway, right?
Certainly.
DOCTOR 2: Did you see
that newspaper over there?
Hmm, the Iranian
funny page?
DOCTOR 2:
How can he read
that thing, man?
Jesus Christ,
it's not even
written in words.
It looks like one
of my prescriptions.
I've read
that prescription.
I wouldn't mind
going to Iran.
(OPERA PLAYING ON STEREO)
(VOLUME INCREASING)
Oh, no, no, no.
Don't turn it off.
It's okay.
Honey, what's wrong?
Nothing's wrong.
I'm fine.
What's wrong?
Have you talked
to the family?
Is everything all right?
Oh, everybody's fine.
They're fine.
Oh, by the way, uh,
Mammal phoned.
He and Nasserine
have had a baby boy.
That's great.
A couple of the doctors
were making cracks
at the hospital again.
Who were they?
What does it matter?
It matters, Moody.
It matters.
We moved here
to get away
from all of that.
God, it's just so awful.
Oh, honey, forget it.
Honey, forget it.
There are dumb people
everywhere.
Forget it, honey.
"And the genie roared
with laughter.
(MIMICKING LAUGHTER)
"'O thou poor thief
of 1,000 alleyways,
"'do you think you can marry
the sultan's daughter
"'when all
the princes in Persia
are seeking her hand?'
"'You foolish slave,'
replied Aladdin, boldly.
"'Have you forgotten
the jewels in the cave?
"'You have the wits
of a donkey.
"'I should put you back
into the dirty, old lamp
where you belong.'"
Is there really
Aladdin's cave?
I'm sure
there must be.
Could we find it?
(LAUGHS) Well, I'm not sure
if I know where it is, but...
You know,
I was born in Persia.
Well, they call it
Iran now.
If I took you there,
maybe we could look
for it together,
couldn't we?
You know,
Iran's got caves
and mountains and deserts,
just like
in the story.
And mosques.
They're so beautiful,
they're like jewels.
You know, when the sun
shines on them,
they dazzle your eyes.
Would you like
to see those?
Okay, where were we?
Daddy?
Uh-huh?
Do I hate Americans?
What do you mean?
Of course not.
Lucille says
I hate Americans
because you're
from Iran.
Sweetheart,
Lucille doesn't really know
what she's talking about,
so we shouldn't pay
too much attention to her.
I've lived in America
for 20 years.
I'm as American
as apple pie,
and so are you.
Give me a kiss.
Mmm, big hugs.
Mmm, big hugs.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(MOODY CONTINUES
SPEAKING FARSI)
Oh, that was
Ameh Bozorg.
(SCOFFS) It's always
the same.
She cries and cries
on the phone.
"You're like
a son to me.
"When your mother died,
I was the one that
raised you.
"Now I'm sick, I'm dying,
you're a doctor.
"You're not here
to look after me."
Is she sick?
No, no. She's not sick.
She's 58.
She feels old,
but she's not sick.
It's the same old
guilt trip.
Oh, honey, come on.
She's your sister.
She misses you.
You have to phone her
more often.
Phoning's no good.
She wants to see me.
And now that
Mammal and Nasserine
have had their baby,
everybody's there
for the celebration except me.
It's been 10 years.
I haven't seen
my family for 10 years.
Mammal and Reza
have been here.
Why doesn't she just get on
a plane and come over here
for a visit?
She wouldn't do that.
She's hardly been
out of Teheran.
She wants to
see me over there.
They want to see us.
They've never met
you or Mahtob.
She keeps asking
why can't we go over
for a vacation.
You'll just have to
explain it to them.
Explain what?
We can't go to Iran.
Why not?
I'm not about to take
Mahtob to Iran.
It's much too violent.
We're not gonna go sightseeing
to the Persian Gulf
or anything crazy.
We're gonna spend
two weeks on vacation
with my family.
Moody, there's too much
going on over there.
Look, your family is
welcome here anytime.
You know that.
Well, if you feel
that strongly about it,
maybe you should
just go there yourself.
No, I don't mean that,
either.
None of us should go.
It's just not safe.
MAHTOB: Mommy!
Look.
I'm coming!
You're getting it
all out of proportion.
Look, I haven't seen
any of them for 10 years.
MAHTOB: Mommy!
Honey, I know how you feel.
All right,
I'm coming!
No, it's okay.
Go ahead.
Honey, I want to go
more than anything.
I miss them so much.
You're always talking about
how important family is.
All I want to do is
go for two weeks
with you and Mahtob
and visit my family.
Moody, it scares me.
What scares you, honey?
Look at me.
Do you honestly think
for one moment
that I would take you
and Mahtob anywhere
that I thought
would be dangerous?
I love you both more than
anything in the whole world.
Listen,
Mahtob's got her vacation.
She starts a new school.
It's a good time.
I swear to you
on the sacred Koran,
you won't be
in any danger,
that we'll be back
after two weeks,
and that I wouldn't
do anything
to jeopardize
yours or Mahtob's safety.
Come on, honey.
It's not such a big deal.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(ALL YELLING)
(ALL YELLING)
Look at what
they're doing.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(EXCLAIMING)
(EXCLAIMING)
Hello, Betty.
Hello.
Nasserine, it's so good
to see you.
(LAUGHING)
Fereshte, Zoreh,
this is Mahtob.
Betty! Betty!
It's Ameh Bozorg!
Sweetheart,
that's Daddy's sister.
For you and Mahtob.
Oh, my goodness!
Look!
Mahtob!
Mahtob!
Moonlight.
You are moonlight.
I know.
Mahtob means moonlight.
Mahtob, Mahtob.
Betty?
Hello.
I am so happy.
Now you can
be with us.
Oh, yes, I'm so glad.
It's only for two weeks,
but I'm very pleased.
I remember your house
in America very well.
Mammal,
so good to see you.
At last, finally
you are here, Betty.
Yes, I'm so glad
we could come
for a visit.
Congratulations
on the baby.
Thank you.
(LAUGHING)
What?
No, nothing.
She say Mahtob look like
almost exact to Moody
and to Ameh Bozorg.
(ALL CHATTERING)
MOODY:
Some reception, huh?
BETTY:
Oh, my gosh.
It's amazing.
Do you know
all these people?
All of them.
(LAUGHING)
Oh, boy. This is
all my family.
Obviously,
they really missed you.
The car's just
over here.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Go ahead, unwrap it.
It's a gift.
Oh!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Thank you.
Isn't that nice?
Oh! Thank you.
Thank you.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Go on. Put it on.
Put it on.
Now?
Yeah, well, it's a...
They've gone to
a lot of trouble.
It would make her
very happy.
All right.
You know,
it's pretty good quality.
Okay.
Go ahead.
Get in the car, okay?
(MUSIC BLARING)
God.
It all looks
so different.
I thought you said
foreign women don't
have to wear Islamic dress.
Yeah. I know.
I made a mistake.
It's all changed.
Anyway, it's only when
you leave the house or
when you go outside.
You saw the women
at the airport.
I didn't recognize
half my family.
They were
all covered.
Last time I was here,
only half of them
wore chador.
It's all new.
What would happen
if I didn't wear this?
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(BOTH SPEAKING FARSI)
She says
you'd get arrested.
(ALL ULULATING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
I have to go
to the bathroom.
Just wait.
We're almost there.
(ALL CHATTERING)
Hi.
(GOAT BLEATING)
No, no!
They're hurting him, Mommy!
They're hurting him!
Mommy, they're hurting him,
Mommy, they're hurting him.
It's their way
of saying welcome.
It's a great honor.
They give the meat
to the poor.
Honey, honey,
we have to step over it.
It's a custom.
It's expected.
Just hang on to me.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(ALL CHATTERING)
(PEOPLE CHANTING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(CHANTING)
It's the Friday prayer.
From the Teheran University.
(ALL CHANTING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Prayers.
Mmm.
(PRAYING)
(MAN CHANTING
OVER SPEAKERS)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Honey, don't forget,
we got to get some things
for your mom and dad.
Okay.
So hot.
Thank you.
Now let me do you. Okay?
(SPEAKING FARSI)
All right?
(TIRES SCREECHING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
MOODY:
Fix your scarf!
Fix your hair!
Cover your hair!
(ALL SHOUTING)
(ALL SHOUTING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Honey, I'm sorry.
They didn't know
you were a foreigner.
If they'd had known,
they wouldn't
have been so harsh.
A little bit of hair
fell out.
I know. I know.
Honey, you gotta be careful.
They're very strict
about the dress code here.
(SPEAKS FARSI)
You must to cover all.
You must not
to be careless.
Every single hair
that is not covered
is like a dagger
that you aim at
the heart of our martyrs.
Come on.
Just give it time,
sweetheart.
It's okay.
(ALL CHATTERING)
Look at these hands.
(ALL CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(ALL SHUSHING)
(WHISPERING)
Mom.
Shh.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Guess that means
we can eat.
(ALL CHATTERING)
Come on.
Sit up straight.
Is it because I didn't
wear a chador?
Honey,
you misinterpreted.
She wasn't looking
at you.
Honey, you didn't see.
She looked at me.
It was the same
feeling today
when the police
stopped me.
There was
such dislike.
It just seems so
primitive sometimes.
Yeah, well,
all religious beliefs
seem primitive
when they're not
your own.
But to cover them up
and hide them away.
Are they so afraid
of women's sexuality
or what?
No, no. That's not
the reason.
Iranian women like
to wear the chador.
It's a mark of respect.
You know,
when the Shah tried
to ban them,
they had demonstrations
in the streets.
Most women wanted
to bring it back.
I'm sorry. I know
it's a different culture.
I guess I just
don't understand it.
Why is Mammal angry at you,
and the others?
They seem to be going
at you all the time.
Yeah, well...
You know, my family,
they're very religious.
They're not sophisticated.
They're basically
country people.
It's all changed so much.
It's all back to the Koran.
It's been that way
since the revolution.
You know,
when they moved
into this house,
they got rid of
all the furniture. All of it.
Now they see me, and
I seem so Americanized.
And you have
an American wife.
Yeah.
I'm sorry.
The last thing I wanted to do
was come here and insult them
in any way.
I know, I know.
(BOTH SIGHING)
Honey, it's going to
seem strange for a while,
but believe me,
they want to love you.
They will.
I promise.
Okay.
(LAUGHING)
What?
Nothing.
No, no, nothing.
What's so funny?
You know
they think we make love
all the time.
Who?
The family.
Why?
Well.
Well, because here, you know,
after they make love,
they have to take a shower
because, you know, they can't
pray unless they do.
You know,
it's considered unclean.
You know, we're taking
two, three showers a day.
(LAUGHING)
Oh, God, what, they think
we're two rabbits
or something?
(BOTH LAUGHING)
I'm not taking another shower
the whole time we're here.
You knew that
the whole time.
They didn't know
you were such a swinger.
You know what I mean?
Yeah, but you knew
that all along.
You were out
in the hall giggling.
Every time I took a shower.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
(MAN CHANTING)
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
(BABA HAJJI SPEAKING FARSI)
Don't go.
I have to.
Oh, Moody,
please stay.
I can't.
Honey, you've been
getting up early
every morning
for a week and a half.
Don't go.
What's the matter
with you?
I'm with my family.
They're Sayyids.
You know what that means?
They're direct descendants
of Mohammed.
They deserve
a little respect.
MOODY:
Oh, of course,
to the sophisticated American,
that must all seem
so incredibly primitive.
(DOOR CLOSING)
(SHOUTING IN FARSI)
(KIDS CHATTERING)
MOODY: Betty.
Oh, God,
you scared me.
I wondered
where you were.
I think I got
the most beautiful picture
if I had this thing
set right.
The lights have gone.
Are you coming in?
Yeah.
Betty.
What?
Something happened
before we came out here.
What?
Well, you know,
I didn't want to
tell you about it.
We were coming out here,
so...
What, Moody,
what happened?
I got fired
from the hospital.
You got fired?
It happened
just before we left.
Literally, two days.
I can't believe it.
They can't do that.
Yes, they can.
If they can find someone
who'll do the job
for less money.
Oh, no.
And who isn't
an Iranian.
Oh.
Moody, I can't
believe that.
Your work was
going so well.
Oh, you think they like
Iranians in Michigan?
It's always there,
you know
just under the surface.
You know, not one
of my colleagues
has ever stood up for me
whenever there was
any trouble.
Honey, that's not true.
Yeah. We're talking about
the medical profession.
It's supposed to be
an educated group of people.
What are we going to do?
Well,
I'll tell you what
we're gonna do.
We're going to
go home tomorrow
and we're gonna find out
how this happened.
We'll appeal.
It's America.
We've got laws.
We've got friends.
You've got lots of friends.
And this just can't happen.
(LAUGHING)
BETTY: Hey!
Hey, will you stop that?
Look at you
messing everything up.
Now, get your own stuff
together, please.
I don't think they're
gonna let this through.
Maybe Mammal
can ship it.
Sweetheart,
listen to me.
Do you want to pack Toby Bunny
or do you want to carry him?
It's gonna be
awfully hot.
Pack him.
Okay, pack him.
Sit down here right now
and fold up
all those clothes
you messed up.
Can I put him
in the suitcase?
Yes, you may.
Sweetheart, you haven't
packed anything.
You want me
to do it for you?
No.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
You must take passport
to the airport
three days before
to get approval.
You have not done this.
Approval?
What approval?
It is no time.
You must to get stamp.
You cannot leave today.
Well, when can we leave?
When's the next flight?
I don't know.
Moody, what is this?
I don't know.
We'll have to wait for
the next available flight,
I guess.
How could you
not take care
of the passports?
Didn't somebody tell you
about this, Moody?
How could you
let this happen?
It's a mistake.
Nobody thought about it.
Well, then, we'll go
to the airport,
and we'll tell them
we didn't know about
the three-day requirement.
Maybe they'll just
let us through.
And if not,
we'll just sit there
and we'll wait
for the next flight.
I don't know
how to say this to you.
We're not going back.
We're staying here.
What do you mean?
How long?
I want to get a job here,
in a hospital.
What?
I want us
to live in Iran.
No.
No.
There's nothing
for me in America.
No.
No. What...
What, are you crazy?
We're Americans.
Your daughter's
an American.
Moody, honey,
you're upset about
your job and everything,
I understand that.
We're gonna go back today
and we're gonna fix it.
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 held the Koran
and swore to me that
nothing was gonna happen.
Mommy.
You were planning this
all the time.
You lied to me.
Mommy, aren't we
going home today?
Yes, we are, honey.
I want you
to go downstairs
and I want you to say
goodbye to everybody.
All right.
(DOOR CLOSING)
BETTY: Moody, I know
what's been going on.
They've got no right.
You've got to resist it.
Moody, I know how much
you miss your family,
how guilty
they make you feel.
I know the kind of pressure
they're putting on you.
I know you want to
spend some time here.
I promise you
we'll come back,
we'll spend time here.
But we can't stay here.
This is a backward,
primitive country.
I won't live here.
I won't bring up
my daughter here.
How can you even consider
raising Mahtob here?
Don't you see
how they treat women?
I know it's
the right decision
if you just
give it a chance.
No.
For all of us.
For you and for Mahtob.
No, Moody,
you can't mean this.
I'm a highly qualified
doctor.
They're desperate
for doctors in Iran.
I could do
a lot of good here.
Please.
Besides, I'm a Muslim.
Please.
This is where
I should be.
This is where
my family should be.
Please, please don't do this.
Look, I know
it seems harsh,
but it's best thing
for all of us.
Mahtob could learn
real values here!
No! I won't stay here!
You can't keep me...
Now, you listen to me.
You're in my country now.
You're my wife.
You do as I say.
You understand me?
We're staying here.
(DOOR SLAMMING)
Mammal, would you
translate for me?
Please excuse me if I don't
get my words straight.
I'm a bit shaken up.
I wanted to come down here
and talk to you
to see if you could
understand my feelings.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Moody and I have been
married for seven years.
We've loved each other
very much.
And we have
trusted each other.
Trust was always
very important.
(MAMMAL SPEAKING FARSI)
I didn't want
to come here.
Moody knew that.
I made it very clear to him.
The only reason I came
was to visit
with all of you
and so that you could
meet our daughter.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
But I was frightened.
And so Moody swore to me
on the holy Koran
that nothing would happen.
That nothing like this
could happen.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
He held the Koran,
and he swore to me.
Isn't that true, Moody?
Isn't that true?
I had to.
You wouldn't have
come with me if I hadn't.
Baba Hajji,
you're a religious man.
How can Moody
swear on the Koran
and then do this to me?
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(ALL YELLING IN FARSI)
Allah will forgive him.
(YELLING IN FARSI)
No, no!
Ameh Bozorg,
Ameh Bozorg,
please help me, please!
(ALL SHOUTING IN FARSI)
No! You can't do this!
God damn you!
God damn you!
You can't keep me here!
You had this planned
all along!
Damn you!
I'll be with you.
I'll help you.
Will you try
to go to sleep?
(DOOR OPENING)
Where are the checkbooks
and credit cards?
And I'll need the house keys
and the keys to the car.
They're in the small bag,
I think.
BETTY: Moody,
talk to me, please.
There's nothing more
to say.
Oh, Moody, please!
(DOOR SHUTS)
Please talk to me!
(BETTY SOBBING)
BETTY: Moody!
Moody, please!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
MOODY: I told you
to stop calling here.
No, she's not available.
Yeah, well,
she's also my wife,
which means she wants
to do what I want.
Look, you're not
helping him
by doing this.
Yes. I know that very well,
and I'm very sorry,
but this isn't going to
help his illness go away.
So please
leave us alone.
No, I will not discuss...
Look, I really don't
care about that.
The State Department can do
what the hell it likes!
Betty,
you've got to eat.
You can't keep
this up.
You're going to
make yourself very sick.
You know, if I thought
you really wanted
to stay here,
we could have
such a great life.
You know,
when I first heard
the Shah was leaving Iran,
just after Mahtob was born,
I couldn't believe it.
It was just amazing.
They had everyone
on the streets,
millions of people.
I should have been here.
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 nothing can stop us."
You can't imagine
what that was like.
I know things
have been hard for you.
They'll get better.
I promise you.
Dear Lord,
hear our prayer.
Dear Lord,
hear our prayer.
Please help us leave Iran
and get back to America.
Please help us leave Iran
and get back to America.
Please let
nothing separate us.
Please let
nothing separate us.
And keep us always safe
in your care.
And keep us always safe
in your care.
Amen.
Amen.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(PHONE RINGING)
Hello.
GRANDMA:
Hello, Betty.
Mom!
Don't talk.
Just listen.
Mom. Oh, God!
You are to go to
the American Interests Section
of the Swiss Embassy.
There is no US Embassy
in Iran anymore.
Okay.
It's on
Kiribah Fereshteh Street.
Kiribah.
Their number is 625475.
625475.
What are you doing?
I knew from the beginning...
It was ringing.
I answered it.
...something dangerous...
Why do you want
to humiliate me
in front of my family?
I've told you before,
you don't touch the phone!
And you don't leave
the house!
Now do you understand me?
Yes!
(PHONE RINGING)
MAN: Swiss Embassy.
(WHISPERING)
American Interests Section.
I can't hear you calling.
You'll have to talk louder.
I can't talk louder.
I can't hear you, caller.
Are you there, caller?
Are you there, caller?
Please, help me.
I'm being held hostage.
You'll have to talk louder,
caller, you're very faint.
I can't.
I'm being held hostage.
Please help me.
I'm sorry
I can't hear you, caller.
(PHONE CLICKS)
Who were you talking to?
When?
Before, on the phone.
No one.
It was nothing.
Now don't lie to me.
I know you're lying to me.
Stop it, Daddy!
Stop it!
It's okay, honey.
It's between Mommy and me.
It was
nothing, really.
I tried to call Nasserine,
I got the wrong number.
(CHUCKLES)
What do you think, huh?
You think you can
lie to me?
You think you can do
anything in this house
without me knowing
about it?
My family
tell me everything.
They're watching you
all the time.
So, please,
don't be stupid.
Mommy isn't stupid.
By the way,
she's gonna have to
start school pretty soon.
We'll have to get her
the right clothes.
I don't want
to go to school.
(DOOR SLAMMING)
Moody, what school?
When?
(CAR HONKING)
American Interests...
Uh, the Swiss Embassy.
Swiss Embassy.
Kiribah Fereshteh is
the name of the street.
Kiribah Fereshteh.
(MAN ON INTERCOM
SPEAKING FARSI)
Swiss Embassy.
My name is
Betty Mahmoody.
I'm an American citizen.
Show your passport inside.
(GATE BUZZER RINGING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Thank you.
Passport.
We don't have
our passports.
My husband has them.
We're American citizens.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
You can go.
We can go.
Mommy,
we can go home!
My name is
Nicole Ajamian.
Betty Mahmoody.
This is my daughter
Mahtob.
Please, do sit.
Thank you.
We're so glad
to see you.
Um...
I spoke with my mother
in the United States.
And I know that
the State Department
is into this.
We're just very happy
to be here.
We'll sleep anywhere
for as long as it takes
until you can get us out.
What are you
talking about?
You cannot stay here.
I can't go back
to my husband.
I want to go home
to the United States.
That may be,
but you are in Iran.
You are married
to an Iranian?
Yes.
Then you are
an Iranian citizen.
No, no, I'm not.
I'm an American citizen,
and my daughter
is an American citizen.
We were born
in the United States.
We have American
passports.
I mean, we don't...
We don't have them with us.
My husband has them.
We've never changed
our citizenship.
If you marry
an Iranian man,
you automatically become
an Iranian citizen.
The laws regarding women
are very strict.
You cannot travel anywhere
without written permission.
You have no rights
to the children.
They go to the man
in a divorce.
I'm sorry,
but you will have to
go back to your husband.
But we'll never
get out of Iran.
We're being held hostage.
It was almost impossible
to come here.
Mrs. Mahmoody, there are many
American women here
in similar circumstances.
May I ask you
why you came to Iran?
I don't know.
I don't know.
I was afraid to come.
I wanted to please him.
I trusted him.
I was frightened to come,
but I never thought
this would happen.
I thought of him
as an American.
He's changed.
Oh, God, he's changed.
Look, Mrs. Mahmoody,
many came back
after the revolution
feeling guilty
about being away,
about turning
their backs on Iran
and on Islam.
Now Iran is
an Islamic state,
and that's a wonderful thing
for many Iranians.
Well, if there is
anything I can do,
maybe if you need to
organize telephone calls
to the US,
or you want to
write letters home...
(BLEATING)
(MAN CALLING SHEEP)
So, if Daddy asks,
we went for a walk
and got lost, okay?
(YELLING IN FARSI)
Mommy! Mommy!
Where were you, huh?
I went for a walk!
I went...
I went out for a walk,
and I got lost!
Where were you?
We went for a walk...
Shut up!
You try anything
like this again,
I'll kill you!
(SOBBING)
Oh, my God.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(CHILDREN SINGING)
CHILDREN:
* Happy birthday to you
(SPEAKING FARSI)
* 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
(CHILDREN LAUGHING)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
(DOOR OPENING)
Hi.
Hi.
Nasserine said
you wanted to see me.
I can't believe
she's five, can you?
No.
Thank you for today,
the doll
and everything.
I miss her.
It seems I haven't
spent much time
with her lately.
Moody,
I want to make it work.
You were such
a wonderful father today.
It brought it all back.
Honey, I want you
to be happy.
I want to
make you happy.
I need you to help me.
Oh, Betty.
I didn't want it
to be like this.
I love you.
I never want
to hurt you.
Oh, Moody.
Moody, I need you...
I need you to help me.
We can't stay
in this house.
It's my sister's house.
She'd be insulted
if we went away.
No, no, she doesn't
really want us here.
She doesn't like me.
We've got nowhere else to go.
Yes, we do.
We could stay with
Mammal and Nasserine.
We helped them when
they were in the States.
Nasserine goes
to classes.
I could baby-sit.
I could help.
Please.
Oh, Betty...
I don't want
to lose you.
BETTY: I want you to tell me
anything I can ever do.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
The kitchen. Kitchen.
Kitchen.
(BOTH SPEAKING FARSI)
You teach me.
I'll cook for you.
I'm so grateful, Nasserine.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Thank you so much.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
I was just telling him
that, uh, the same rules
apply as before.
MOODY: Mammal.
(DOOR SHUTS)
MOODY: You have to wear
chador tonight.
Oh?
My uncle's a Mullah.
He's highly respected.
He's a very
influential man.
He's written
books on Islam.
Maybe he's gonna
help me get a job.
(EXCLAIMS)
Betty, you are
a very good Iranian cook.
Thank you.
You are lucky people.
Why you wear chador?
I thought I had to.
But why?
Chador is
Persian tradition.
It's not necessary
to wear it inside.
It is exaggerated
with some people now.
Mahmood told me
you read Koran.
Yes. I try.
I like to.
Very good.
You go to Koran class?
No.
Mahmood must
send you there.
They are in
English language.
Would you like?
Yes, very much.
The Hadith, or reports,
of the collected sayings
of the Prophet
with additional commentaries
by devout and learned men.
In our readings
from the Koran,
we'll pause to consider
the Hadith when appropriate.
What page are we on?
I don't know.
She just...
You're American.
Yeah.
...since the death of Adam
without there being on it
an imam guiding
the people to God.
(WOMEN LAUGHING)
BETTY: You're kidding?
I'm from Chicago
but I lived in Michigan.
Where in Michigan?
Near Lansing.
Where near Lansing?
Oh, it's a little place.
You wouldn't know it. Owosso.
Are you... I lived there
for five years. I went
to grammar school there.
I lived on the corner
of Linden and Noleen.
ELLEN:
My husband's a doctor.
He had
his own practice there.
BETTY:
My husband's a doctor, too.
I can't believe this!
(BOTH LAUGHING)
And now I work for
an English language magazine
for Islamic women.
Have you become Muslim?
Mmm-hmm.
Did you convert?
Well, I wanted to,
I guess.
My husband was happy
I did.
(LAUGHS)
It made things
a lot better.
Uh, I'll...
I got to go.
Ellen, it's been so...
No, really.
BETTY: Moody.
You'll never guess.
I just met
an American woman in class.
She's from Owasso.
Her husband's a doctor.
Are they here?
No, they just left.
She's invited us over.
Is that all right?
Yeah, that's fine.
I want you to ask questions
when you're out
with your daddy.
Uh-huh.
I want you to
ask him questions
about taxis and buses.
And how much
things cost.
Okay.
All right?
Ask him questions
about the signs.
What the signs mean,
what they say.
All right.
And then you'll be
able to teach me.
Why do you want
to learn all that?
I'm gonna have to
if we're gonna
get out of here.
MOODY: It's got lentils
and beans.
And what's that?
That's his name
on the sign.
What's he selling?
That's sabzi.
See, it's all kinds of things
that they sell here.
These are pictures
of all the people
that died in the war.
They put the pictures up
so everybody remembers them.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(REPEATING)
(NASSERINE LAUGHING)
Yeah, that's one, too.
Why all these questions,
honey?
What's that?
Well, that's
the rest of the market.
And look,
here's some fruit here.
MAHTOB:
What do they do?
They sprinkle sugar
on the beets, and it's
almost like a candy.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
The moment
the Shah left,
I wanted to go
back to Iran,
but Ellen didn't
want to.
So I said, uh, "Fine.
"I'll go without you."
(CHUCKLING)
So, uh, she came.
The first year in Iran,
things were very bad
between us.
She couldn't adjust.
Could you, Ellen?
I took quite a time
before she understood
how to be a good wife.
Ooh.
(ELLEN EXCLAIMING)
Warm, isn't it?
Yes.
Why did you come back?
I mean, my God!
He let you go home
to the States,
and you came back.
Maybe,
at the beginning if...
Of course there was
the custody problem
with the kids, so...
It was
tough for me.
You know,
I had no experience.
Small American town.
Was he violent?
Not in the States, never.
You're not supposed to,
you know. It's not Islamic.
Marriages do work out here.
They can be good.
It's been hard
for me at times,
but you've got to
give it time, Betty.
Islam has
such beauty in it.
I mean, I'm glad
my kids are growing up
as Muslims.
Ellen, I'm so happy
we've become friends.
I mean, you told me
you were from home.
I was so thrilled!
It's like a miracle.
Ellen.
I have something
I want to tell you.
If I do,
can you keep it
a secret?
Not tell your husband?
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Ellen, I'm sorry.
Please, please forget
I spoke.
No, it's okay.
Go ahead.
I won't tell him.
That's a promise.
Would you take
this letter for me?
I'm trying to get back home
to America with my daughter.
My family is working on it,
but there's nothing I can do.
Moody knows where I am
every single minute.
(DOOR OPENING)
(MEN LAUGHING)
Are you crazy?
Don't you realize
what can happen?
Terrible things.
You just can't, Betty.
You know, if you were caught,
they could execute you.
(WHISPERING)
It's for the Embassy.
(BOTH SPEAKING IN FARSI)
(MOODY CHUCKLING)
Can you believe that?
They're desperate
for doctors in Iran.
They got
thousands of casualties
from the war.
But because
I trained in America,
no one will give me a job.
That is not the reason.
(BOTH SPEAKING FARSI)
I'm telling you,
hard to believe that
this country was getting
quite sophisticated
before the revolution.
I mean, we were building
chemical plants,
oil refineries.
Multi-million dollar
installations.
And what's happened?
They're all rotting
in the desert because nobody
knows how to operate them.
It's all so primitive!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Honey, somebody needs
to go to the market.
We're out
of meat and things.
Yeah, I can't go.
But it's for tonight's dinner.
Well, I can't go.
It'll have to wait
till Nasserine gets back.
But she's home so late,
what'll we do tonight?
I don't know.
Can't you go by yourself
for a change?
Yeah, I can, really.
I know the way,
it's not far.
I'll take the children.
(BABY COUGHING)
You give me a list
of everything you need,
and I'll tell you
exactly how long
it'll take
and what time
for you to be back here.
Take the baby with you.
Mahtob can stay
here with me.
(ALL SHOUTING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
You are American?
Yes.
I need dosari
for the telephone.
I was in America
many times.
Uh, New York,
uh, Amarillo, Texas.
You want to telephone?
Please, come, please.
Thank you.
BETTY: American
Interests Section.
Nicole Ajamian.
Nicole, it's Betty.
Have you heard anything
from the State Department yet?
No! I can't.
I can't... Because
he watches me all the time,
or he has somebody watch me.
I didn't know that.
Will they let us go
if I get a divorce?
What?
I can't do that.
I can't do that.
I won't leave her.
Nicole, Nicole,
I won't leave her.
All right. I will get
to the Embassy if I can.
Thank you.
You're very kind.
You can use the telephone
when you want.
No problem.
Thank you.
I like America very much.
My son was, uh,
with University of Texas.
That is my son.
He's a martyr for the war.
My name is Hamid.
Anytime for telephone,
you come here.
I'm Betty.
MAHTOB: Who's gonna take me
to school tomorrow?
I don't know, honey.
It'll either be me,
or it'll be Daddy.
But I want you to.
I don't know
if I can, Mahtob.
Why can't you?
Honey,
I promise you
I'll be there,
and everything
will be all right.
Okay?
Come on.
Dear Lord.
Dear Lord.
Hear our prayer.
Hear our prayer.
We beg you to
help us leave Iran.
We beg you to
help us leave Iran.
And get back to America.
And get back to America.
Please let
nothing separate us.
(MAHTOB CRYING)
BETTY: I know, honey.
I know.
I'll be back this afternoon,
sweetheart, I'll be back.
I'll be back, sweetheart.
Sweetheart, I'll be back,
I'll be here, sweetheart.
(CRYING)
Don't worry, baby.
Mommy, please!
(MUTTERS)
(MAHTOB CRYING)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
Take the baby.
I'll get the rice.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Hamid, I can't stay.
You must to come inside.
There is someone here.
Miss Nassimi.
She came to help you.
Hamid told me
you wish to leave Iran.
You know
it is extremely dangerous.
I have to get back
to the United States.
Why don't you try
to get a divorce?
No!
No, if I get a divorce,
then my husband will get
custody of my daughter.
I can't do that.
If they catch you trying
to escape with your daughter,
they could execute you.
I can't leave her here.
Look, I have...
Please.
Wait.
I think we can help you.
My brother has helped
many people here.
I will be here
Wednesday and Thursday
at this time
if you can come.
Here is
my telephone number.
Memorize it.
Please, don't keep it.
Thank you.
(NASSERINE SPEAKING FARSI)
(BOTH SPEAKING FARSI)
I got the rice.
I'm sorry.
(NASSERINE CHATTERING
IN FARSI)
What happened?
She was crying all day,
and I had to go
pick her up.
We can't make her do this,
Moody. She's frightened.
I know.
Tomorrow they want you
to go to school with her.
Okay.
They want you to
stay with her every day.
Of course.
Of course,
I'll stay with her.
They're all
devout women there.
You'll be watched.
Okay.
I just want
Mahtob to be happy.
I want her to have
a happy childhood.
Don't you want
to give her that?
Islam's the greatest gift
I can give my child.
(TEACHER AND STUDENTS
CHANTING)
(ALL SCREAMING)
(BOMB EXPLODING)
(ALL SCREAMING)
(ALARM BLARING)
(ALL SCREAMING)
You said
there'd be no danger.
Do you remember, Moody?
Mahtob could
have been killed.
America's doing this!
Who supplying the bombs
who supplies the planes?
Whose backing Iraq?
Don't be so naive,
America's responsible
for this war! No one else!
(POLICE SIREN WAILING)
You should not behave
this way.
I had to tell Hormoz.
It is your duty as a wife
to tell your husband
everything!
You cannot have secrets.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(WOMEN CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Very nice,
very nice.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Mahtob. Very nice.
Very nice.
I am very sorry.
It's bad in Iran.
Bad for you
and your husband.
I'm sorry.
We help you.
We help you, help you.
Could I use the telephone?
Telephone?
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(ALL CHATTER)
Husband, no telephone.
You, inside,
you, inside.
Right.
You come after morning.
11, after morning.
I can come late
with Mahtob?
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(WOMEN SPEAKING FARSI)
Thank you.
HOUSSEIN:
There are three principal
ways out of Iran.
You could go to Baluchistan
and then across the mountains
into Pakistan.
In the southwest
to Bandar Abbas,
then across the gulf
by boat to Oman.
This is
the most dangerous route.
From Teheran
across the Zagros mountains
through Kurdistan
into Turkey.
There are checkpoints
everywhere,
and the border crossing's
very heavily armed.
Which way
do you think is best?
The gulf.
How much will it cost?
When you and your daughter
are safely back in America,
then if you can,
perhaps you will reimburse me.
Dollars would be
of more help to me
than Iranian currency.
Keep in touch
with my sister.
Right.
(WOMEN CHATTERING IN FARSI)
BETTY:
Run, run, run.
(SCREAMING)
MOODY:
Where were you, hmm?
MAHTOB:
Stop it, Daddy, stop it.
Where you been?
(BETTY SCREAMING)
(GROANING)
(BETTY SCREAMING)
Mommy! Mommy!
Get up! Get up!
Get up!
(BETTY SCREAMING)
(BETTY GRUNTING)
I'm gonna kill you.
I'm gonna cut you up.
You're gonna be dead!
Get out.
MOODY: Betty!
Betty!
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(COIN CLINKING)
(SOBBING)
Nicole Ajamian.
Nicole Ajamian.
(SOBBING)
Nicole.
He's gonna kill me.
He's gonna kill me.
He said he was gonna
kill me.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(STUDENTS SPEAKING FARSI)
(TEACHER SPEAKING FARSI)
(STUDENTS SPEAKING FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
This woman is
from the Embassy.
I need to take Mahtob.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Impossible.
Child goes to father.
You don't understand.
He's gonna kill me.
I have to get
my daughter.
Madame, you wait.
Husband come.
I want my baby!
Madame, madame.
I want my baby.
Madame.
(ALL CHATTERING)
BETTY:
I want my baby!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Betty, they won't
let you take her.
The State Department
wants you to go
to the Iranian
Foreign Minister
and ask for his help.
No!
The State Department
can't do anything.
They can't help me now.
Don't you know that?
They don't even understand
the culture. They'll only
make things worse.
Madame, you wait
for your husband.
Tell her
I want my baby.
I want my baby!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
I cannot.
Please, please, please.
(BETTY SOBBING)
Please.
(BELL RINGING)
(SOBBING)
Listen, honey.
Don't talk right now.
Because I have
to tell you
you can't talk about Hamid
or the Embassy.
Because if you do,
they'll never let us get away.
Don't say anything.
Do you hear me?
Mommy, don't leave me.
Don't go away.
I promise you.
I promise you
I won't leave you.
Do you hear?
I won't leave you.
Where are Mammal
and Nasserine?
You, don't ask questions.
Is that enough for you
sweetheart?
They've moved in
with Ameh Bozorg.
BETTY: Moody,
what're you doing?
(SCREAMING)
Moody, Moody,
please, please.
Please don't take her, Moody.
Please don't take her.
Moody, Moody,
Moody, please!
(LOCK CLICKING)
Moody!
Moody!
Moody!
(SOBBING)
Moody, don't take her!
Don't take her.
(BETTY CRYING)
MOODY: Does Mommy ever
take you on adventures?
Come on.
Where does she take you?
To Koran class.
We saw some camels.
Yeah?
You go anywhere else?
How come you were late
for school yesterday?
Where were you?
We got lost.
No, you didn't, Mahtob.
I know you didn't!
We did, we did!
(AMEH BOZORG YELLING)
Where the hell were you?
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Where were you?
MAHTOB: We got lost!
Stop you lying to me.
Where were you?
We got lost!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(MOODY SPEAKING FARSI)
(MUMBLING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(AMEH BOZORG CHATTERING)
(DOOR CLOSING)
Moody.
Moody, please don't leave.
How is Mahtob?
(LOCK CLICKING)
Please. Please tell me.
(SOBBING)
Is she all right?
(MEN CHANTING)
(SIREN BLARING)
(AIRPLANE APPROACHING)
(BOMB EXPLODING)
(WHISPERS)
Mahtob.
Mahtob.
(SIREN WAILING)
(DOOR OPENING)
MOODY: Betty?
Betty?
Mahtob! Mahtob!
You brought her
back to me.
(SOBBING)
Thank you. Thank you.
(SOBBING)
Thank you.
Thank you.
ALL:
* Happy birthday to you
* Happy birthday to you
* Happy birthday,
dear Mahtob
* Happy birthday to you
(AMEH BOZORG SPEAKING FARSI)
(ALL SINGING)
(CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(ALL CHATTERING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(WOMEN SINGING)
(CHILDREN CHATTERING)
Will you be all right?
Yes, but when
will you be back?
I'll be back
as soon as I can.
All right.
All right.
You be brave.
I will.
(CHILDREN CHATTERING)
HOUSSEIN: We will fly you
to Bandar Abbas
and then take you
by speedboat
across the gulf.
I'll never be able
to thank you.
Please, Betty,
there's really no need.
Just make
the journey safely.
I wish you could have
seen this in the summer.
All the flowers
are gone now.
Gardens have always had
a special place in Persia
throughout our history.
In fact,
the word "paradise"
is a Persian word.
It's hard to believe,
isn't it,
that the idea of paradise
will always be
intimately connected
with Iran?
Whenever I think of
what's happening
to my country,
I try to remember
its gardens.
You must try
and phone me, now,
whenever you can.
By Christmas
you'll be home.
* Joy to the world
* The Lord has come
* Let Earth
receive her king
* Let every heart
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(AMEH BOZORG EXCLAIMING)
Merry Christmas.
HOUSSEIN:
I'm sorry, Betty, but
the gulf got too dangerous.
There are warships everywhere,
and they're checking
all the civilian boats.
Zahedan is safer,
so I booked a flight
for you and Mahtob
on Wednesday,
29th January,
10 days from now.
Wednesday.
Good, Moody's
at the hospitals
on Wednesdays.
On the 29th, I'd like you
to take Mahtob to
the school bus as usual.
We will pick you both up
from the bus stop,
take you to a safe house
until it's time
to get you to the airport.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
BETTY:
Was he in pain?
Is he now?
How much?
How long has he known?
So he's not responding
in any way to the treatment?
What is it?
(INAUDIBLE)
And they all felt that way?
What?
Mother, would you
hold on for a moment?
It's my father.
He's not doing well.
They feel they should
operate...
Tell her we'll go
to America to see him.
Tell her you're going.
Go on.
Tell her
you're gonna see him.
Tell her now.
Mom, Moody says
we can come home.
I'm sorry
about your father.
Thank you.
Moody, will you be able
to come home with us?
No, I can't go.
I'd lose my job
at the hospital.
But it's all right
for Mahtob to come?
No, she can't go either.
She's got school.
You'll have to
go on your own.
I can't go without Mahtob.
Why not?
Of course, you can,
you'll see your father.
What's the problem?
I won't go without her.
(SIGHING)
Betty.
You'll leave
as soon as possible.
You'll see your father,
and then you'll liquidate
all our assets in the States.
MOODY: It's my money,
and I want it!
(DOOR SLAMMING)
HOUSSEIN:
Don't do it, Betty.
If you go,
you'll never see
your daughter again.
He won't allow you
back into the country.
BETTY:
My father is dying,
I've got to go see him.
I don't think
he'd want you to, Betty.
If he knew that it meant
losing your daughter.
Why can't I go now,
and then come back?
Maybe later try to get out.
You can't leave Mahtob here.
Not with Moody's family.
They're from the provinces.
They're more fanatical
than most.
This regime
only encourages them.
Look, there are
some people in this country
that consider a girl
ready for marriage
at nine years of age.
Child brides are not unknown.
If you want to
be free with Mahtob,
then you've got to leave on
the 29th, as we agreed.
But he may
send me out before,
maybe even tomorrow,
I don't know.
He hasn't said.
(SHOUTING IN FARSI)
HOUSSEIN:
For the war.
They take them
younger and younger.
Twelve years old,
some of them.
They give them
plastic keys to paradise,
made in Taiwan,
and tell them that they'll
go straight to heaven
if they die
for their country.
They use them sometimes
to clear the mine fields.
Children run across the field
and get blown to pieces.
Okay.
We've only a week to go.
He's got to get
your passport validated.
He can't do it in the time.
Believe me,
it's just not possible.
He trusts you now.
Try and do anything
you can to delay him.
MOODY:
Where were you?
Moody, I went
to the market.
I wanted to buy
my father some gifts,
but I couldn't find
anything I liked.
Huh. The one day
I come home early.
I've let you go.
I've given you freedom.
Okay, now listen to me.
If you don't do
exactly as I say,
I'm gonna have to lock you up
for the rest of your life.
And that means you'll never,
never see Mahtob again.
You understand me?
Now, on the 26th,
you get on
that plane to America.
You do exactly as I say.
You send everything back here,
and then you return.
And in the meantime,
you do not touch the phone,
and you don't step one foot
outside this house!
Now is that clear?
Yes.
Moody?
You booked
for the 26th?
What do you mean?
Of course, I booked.
You got the validation?
Remember last time?
Zia knows people.
It's all been done.
(ALL SPEAKING FARSI)
I hope your father
gets well.
I'm sorry I can't
see you off tomorrow.
(PHONE RINGING)
Please come back to us.
We love you.
Your father will be
very happy to see you.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
There's an emergency.
They want me to go back
to the hospital.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(MOODY SPEAKS FARSI)
I've got to go.
(SINGING)
(AMEH BOZORG CHATTERING)
BETTY:
I have to go to the market.
There's a few things
that I need
for the khoresht.
It'll take me
about 20 minutes.
Uh, I'll go...
Oh, no, no, no.
It's all right.
I need
some fresh air anyway.
I'd like to buy
some gifts for my father.
There's just been no time.
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Honey, Mahtob.
Wanna get your scarf
and your jacket?
(AMEH BOZORG EXCLAIMS)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(PEOPLE SHOUTING)
(AMEH BOZORG SPEAKING FARSI)
(ALL CLAMORING)
Houssein.
Houssein.
Houssein,
I have her with me.
Houssein, listen to me,
this is the last chance
I have.
We have to leave now.
Betty, come.
(DOOR SHUTS)
NASSIMI:
My brother wants you to call
your husband and delay him.
But first,
I must call Houssein
and tell him you're safe.
I forgot Toby Bunny.
What?
I forgot Toby Bunny.
Honey, honey,
do you wanna
go home to America?
Mahtob,
stop crying.
Stop crying.
(SNIFFING)
Listen now,
if we go back
and get Toby Bunny,
we have to
stay there with Daddy.
Now do you want that?
When will I see
my daddy again?
I don't know.
Stop crying now.
I love you.
I love you.
You be my big, brave girl.
All right, now.
No, Moody.
I'm not gonna get
on that airplane.
MOODY: Why not?
What are you trying to do?
What are you planning, Betty?
Nothing.
I'm not planning anything.
I'm gonna call the police.
Well, then you go ahead
and call the police.
Because there are a few things
I'd like to tell them, too.
Like what?
Like,
I know the clinic isn't legal.
You don't have
an operating permit.
How do you know?
I know. I found out.
I found out.
What, I sit there
all day long.
You think I wouldn't notice
a thing like that?
What do you want to do to me?
I'm only trying
to be good to you.
You want to be happy,
don't you?
Yes.
Well, then we don't need
the police, do we?
I agree.
It's not gonna be necessary...
That won't be necessary.
Now, once we get together,
we'll talk about this, Betty,
huh?
Um...
Betty.
Well, I'll have
to think about it.
Yeah, yeah. Well,
you better think about it,
because I don't believe
a word you say anymore.
How could you do this?
How could you take
Mahtob away?
You're stealing my child.
No, no, no, no.
I'm not gonna promise you
anything, Betty.
You're my wife!
Now get your ass back here!
(SPEAKING FARSI)
Hello, Betty.
This is Zia.
Zia,
I want you to tell Moody
that I have a lawyer.
Tell Moody I won't
meet with him alone.
If he wants to
talk with me,
I'll be there
between 11:00 and 12:00
tomorrow morning,
and 6:00 and 8:00
tomorrow afternoon.
You tell him that.
We're ready.
We must go now.
They'll find you
if you stay
any longer in Teheran.
BETTY: Okay.
Okay, let me
get my things.
HOUSSEIN:
We've had no time
to organize any paperwork,
so you may have
some difficulty
in Turkey.
But at least
they won't send you
back here.
Try to get to
the US Embassy
when you get to Ankara.
We'll drive you to
the Zagros mountains.
Tribesmen will
take you across.
They're Kurdish.
Most of them are friendly.
They know the route
and how to avoid
all the checkpoints.
Now, you must not
let anybody know
you're American.
First you must be
very careful of the checkpoint
outside Teheran.
Betty,
very soon, I hope,
you will be strolling again
in your own garden at home,
in America.
(CAR ENGINE STARTING)
(POLICE SIREN BLARING)
(SPEAKING FARSI)
(POLICE SIREN BLARING)
BETTY: Hurry.
(MAN SPEAKING FARSI)
(CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(POLICE SIREN BLARING)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(GUARDS CHATTERING IN FARSI)
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(HORSES NEIGHING)
What?
BETTY:
What are you doing?
Oh, God.
What are you doing?
No.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Please.
Please.
(GUN FIRING)
(MAN SHOUTING)
(MEN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(CONTINUE SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(WHISTLING)
Mommy. Mommy. Mommy.
Mommy, wake up.
Wake up, Mommy.
Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Don't! Don't! Get off me!
Mommy.
Don't, don't!
Get off me!
(MAN SHOUTING)
Get off me.
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(SHOUTS)
(ENGINE REVVING)
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
(MEN CHATTERING)
(MAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Mommy!
Shh! Don't.
No, it's okay. It's okay.
(WIND HOWLING)
(SPEAKS FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(SPEAKS FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(NEIGHING)
(MAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(HORSE NEIGHING)
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LAUGHING)
(SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
We're home, baby.
We're home.
Mommy.