It weren't the events in his own country that drove him back. He was being gang stalked in the U.S. Without the internet there was no way that he could have figured out that it was really government organized harassment back then. Look up some videos on gang stalking on YouTube.
no one can be sure what did happen between them!!!!! but if i was instead of mahtaab, i could give a chance to my father to see me, or i could try to see him, atleast once.
"Americans tend to view things as black and white."
Well, I wouldn't always say that, but in this case, I think holding someone in a war zone against their will does not fall into a gray area, it's wrong. Also, giving them "permission" to go out shopping does not cancel that out. Let's hear a wife in the US talk about how her husband gives her permission to leave the house and see how many people are impressed by his kindness.
Maybe she exaggerated(All movies exaggerate), either way she was held against her will and could not go back to her home. She did not want to be in Iran and her husband took her there. She was not Islamic and did not want to wear a headdress because she wasn't Islamic, so I don't get anyone else's point. She was tricked into staying there and she escaped.
@AmericanPrincess25 exactly, a movie exaggerates, that doesn't mean SHE did. The most damning evidence that her life there was bad is, if she had nothing to escape from why did she have to escape? I doubt she would risk life and limb if she was free to come and go just like anyone else. She was barely gone and her husband had contacted the authorities to close airports to her. If she was being watched so closely how did that happen?
An opportunist high school educated woman that thought struck gold by marrying a Doctor, she was not ready for the culture shock, typical of many American woman, she kept the last name to reap the benefit...
The watch story is not credible because it says it was given to him in 1984. Mahtob was FIVE years old at the time. I seriously doubt she would be able to give him a watch with money at that point in her life.
I think Betty Mahmoody may have exaggerated the conditions. americans are known for their intolerance of other countries but maybe Dr mahmoody was a controlling husband. i think there is probably wrong on both sides.
I'm sure there are truths to both sides of the story. I remember what Iran was like in the 80's. I can understand him wanting to go back and help his people but to bring his American wife and his little daughter was a very selfish act. I was dating a guy from Iran at this time and my best friend was also from there. My boyfriend was good to me but did act different when with family. My friend's father completely disowned her for marrying an American. He has never seen his grandchildren.
But nobody answer them my question... why they went to Iran?? if they were so happy why they scape?? of course nobody is gonna say that she did right!!! if she could then travel trough the frontier how she leave from the country??? i mean there so many thing with out answer... and why is that woman talking a lot if maybe she knew betty only for a short period of time.
or otherwise the woman who dropped out of high school to marry an iranian boy and have children, who was too scared to go against her husbands wishes and was going to rat betty out of her escaping plan to moody. so im sure she's been told what to say to please her husband, as they all respect moody for being a doctor, funny how a doctor takes the hypocratic oath to protect people and look what he put his own family through.
red haired girl is ellen, as in the book her daughter was same age as bettys and they played together.. i believe it .. to an extent!!!! im sure alot of it was made worse by author
man these people are so full of shit. she planned this, she wanted money? brining up the fact that the guy that helped betty write the book is a zionist.. no it cant posibly be that she is telling the truth. ugh
she was a friend of betty, they were together in the koran-school...she is american, too...in the book is written, that she wanted to escape earlier, but then she thought about it and was happy with her situation in iran.
her name is alice, she is an american who lives in Iran and she knew betty and Mahmoody when they both lived in Iran, and btw how could she have seen any bruises or anything on Betty if they were covered up the whole time.
But I'm wondering, maybe the woman could be Ellen Rafaie too. In the book Alice is described as dark-haired person... and in the movie Ellen is blond, too. I'm not sure.
And how I can imagine, this blond woman talked in this or the last movieclip about her husband Malek. And this is definitely the husband from Alice and not from Ellen.
I think the blond woman is Alice Sharif, because she talked about Betty Mahmoody as her best friend and "sister", and that was the same as in the book. And Alice has a daughter, which is named Samira (called Sammy) and who is calling Mahtob in this movie, because they played often together in the Iran.
Hm.... i think the woman is Alice Sharif, which playes a central role in the book. Alice has a daughter named Samira (called Sammy) which calls Mahtob in this movie cause they played together as childs.
Or this woman can be Ellen Rafaie... because Alice is describes as a dark-haired person, and Ellen is blonde.
All I have to say is I believe Betty...that American friend she had there and the women they have speaking that knew her and Mahtob they cant be telling the truth because if they say what REALLY happened they will end up getting beat on or whatever for making their husbands look bad or their country.
I believe Betty 100%...it's hard not to after all the stories I have heard that are very similar to Not Without My Daughter.Why would Betty lie?She has dedicated her life to helping women in similar situations.
her daughter mahtab is heartless cause at the end of the DAYYYYY thats HER father, his father died today and she never called him, and never answerd his calls, im sorry for YOU.everybody makes mistake,her mother brain washed her for sure,but now she was old enough to talk to her dad. IM SORRY FOR YOU MAHTAB. HEARTLESS <<< one word
It was really jerky of her not to invite him to her wedding either!!! But then again she was totally brainwashed by her mother, grandmother and the Jews who surrounded them!!!
That's certainly one possibility, but what about marketing purposes? Could that be a possibility? You would be better known for your book and/or movie if you used the famous last name rather than your own unknown last name, right?
He wasn't famous. No one would even know who he was had it not been for her and besides even if she would have changed her name the fact remains that something happened to her and she told the story.
True-He made money off of those 'lectures' of his against Betty, her book and the movie. Mahtob is now 30 and maintains to this day that he often beat her mother in front of her-she remembers and still maintains he kept them captive. I don't blame her for not ever wanting to see him again-though I do feel sorry for him to a degree but his actions brought it all upon himself.
@theevilpersian Yes it amazes me that people don't see that there was money to be made in this thing. There still is. Plenty of Islamophobic groups would love to get together with Betty and Mahtob and sing "Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran."
It seems that if you take everything in the movie as fact it is obvious what happened: a x-tian American married an Iranian Moslem and was not happy with the middle eastern culture and had no idea what it means to be a "good wife" according to middle eastern standards and felt that the American way was the only right/just one. Of course this Iranian man is anti-zionist -- he is like most everyone else in his country. His daughter does not want to see him or she would have contacted him herself.
I can't blame her for not wanting to see him whether parts of the story are embellished or not, she and her mom have been by each other's side all these years. A daughter feels a mother's pain.
I think the muslim family is playing sheep so they can get someone to give location of where they are and vengeance will be gotten somehow.
It is also important to be said. Tha other stories that sympathized with the fact that there are men who take their children away to other countries to prevent mother to have access to them. THis is a fact. Many women in other Arab countries can or may see their children only with the permission of the dad. I know this as a fact examples Syria and Saudi Arabia
America has proven to give parental rights to those who have parental right. like the boy from Cuba. Elian Gonzalez. Something doesn't sound right here. I do not believe what this ma is saying. And from the moment he accuses the writer of the book a zionist which is an arab prerogative of disgrace to someone it is his hatred that shows
I disagree with the gentleman at 8:00. In the film Air Force One, the terrorists were European, I believe. I dont believe that Americans generally portray Islams as "the enemy". Also, the villian in all the lastest superhero movies (Spiderman, Superman, XMEN) the villian is typically a white male.
In Betty's story, Alice is portrayed as somewhat "brainwashed", and in Mahmoody's documentary, she also seems to not be in touch with reality (suggesting that Betty's claimed escape route was false).
Okay, if they didn't go for a "two week vacation", what did he tell her to convince her to go? He doesn't comment on that point after he explains the first comment. Look, straight up: If this Betty woman lied to sell her story, shame on her, and she will answer for it. But, man it should be up to Mahtob at this age if she wants to see her father. Remember: There ARE two sides to every story. AND: If you CAN'T prove something it is YOUR opinion. This man should at least speak with Mahtob.
i think he told Betty it was going to be a two week vacation and imprisoned Betty and Mahtob daughter but i also believe after seeing this that Betty might have exaggerated her living conditions in Iran and the amount of freedom she had but Mahtob did not really love her father after she SAW him beat her mom up, she even talked about it and how in that moment all her love and admiration for her father vanished,
OK This AMERICAN film professor has quite a bit of negativie things to say regarding his OWN country.....maybe he should go and live in Iran for a year...or rather just stay there......asshole
Hey, here is an idea!! why doesn't "doctor" Mahmoody go to America to try to get custody of his child. Is it FEAR, or a passport thats stoping him? Or even better why can't the doc arrange to fight for the custody of the child in neutral soil. I am sure that can be arranged. This is not a story about Iran or its people. Iran has wonderful people the world knows. Its time to face justice "doc" BE A MAN.
because of "Not without my daughter" he is now persona non grata (an unwelcome person) in America, so even if he had the money. he is not allowed to come on American soil...
For what I've seen until now some Americans and some Iranians are the same. They say americans stereotype them but they do the same with americans so they are all stupid ppl.
I'd like to see a documentary or read a book where Mahtob tells her side of the story. Since she most likely wouldn't take sides to either of her parents but just speak of the events she witnessed.
Mahtob has done interviews for domestic violence. She says she remembers her father beating her mother and being afraid of him. She was over 6 when she left Iran, and a memory like that would stay with you. She has no desire for contact with her father.
Also this Alice woman, if you read the book, only met Betty towards the end and didn't know her for very long before she escaped. Her comments about not seeing any bruises on Betty are ridiculous as Betty wore Iranian covered clothing
Are there any videos (or links) about these interviews with Mahtob?
I am curious to know... I saw the movie many years ago, but I just heard about this documentary today. From the experience of several of my friends, Iranians (and Iran) are not the "evil" people that the american media portrays them to be. The movie/book has as much "right" to be questioned as this documentary may be.
Are there any videos (or links) about these interviews with Mahtob?
I am curious to know... I saw the movie many years ago, but I just heard about this documentary today. From the experience of several of my friends, Iranians (and Iran) are not the "evil" people that the media portrays them to be. The movie has as much "right" to be questioned as this documentary may be.
What he's saying about the war has a point. I hate how our country is always supporting these repressive regimes- Guatemala, Pinochet, Saddam Hussein, Islom Karimov... Not to mention someone called bin Laden
Um, actually I'm learning Arabic and I'm an advocate for Palestinian human rights... And I've even defended *some* of what Ahmedinejad says. It's not like I treat all Iranians like they're Khomeini or all muslims like they're bin Laden, so give us a little credit! We're not all like King George III. Chokran...
justified hatred, but did we hate all Russians? No! Terrorists, yes, we aren't fond of them. Do we hate all Arabs? No! Most Arabs aren't terrorists, we make that abundantly clear. I like people universally, along with most American's. We don't have a need to hate someone, and when we are against a certain group (terrorists, communists) people just assume that means we hate everyone of a race or nationality. No matter what administration is in office at any given time, it's sick to assume that
WHAT. THE. FUCK. That dude at 9:00 seriously pisses me off. Way to stereotype Americans there. Want to hear a fun little fact? The majority of Americans don't like to hate. As a member of the Obama generation, this mindset is what really annoys me. People just judge America on the past 8 years of our idiotic president (who we didn't even elect, but supreme court bias got him in). People would always make fun of Bush to insult us, when we make fun of him more than anyone else. Comunism was a
Betty's friend is really annoying me. She keeps saying "She was able to go out, she was free to go shopping and whenever I asked her to go somewhere she was free...". What's her point? Who cares if she's free? She didn't WANT TO BE IN IRAN. She should stay neutral and say, "Well, I thought I knew what was going on at the time, but now I don't & although I have a few ideas about all this, I can't say because I wasn't her."
I think her point was to counter what betty claims in terms of being imprisoned and not being allowed to leave the house, and whether betty's friend is telling the truth or not, she is simply giving HER OWN observation in the context of betty's freedom in Iran. Not whether she liked Iran or not.
After all betty's friend has more knowledge of what really happened as a friend, than you or I would as the audience and observers.
As I stated in my previous comment, Betty's friend is simply describing what SHE observed about Betty's life in Iran. She is responding to Betty's claims in her book, of being imprisoned in the house. NOT whether she was able to leave Iran or not. Those are 2 different matters. And of course there is a difference...
There again some parts of NWMD are blatantly exaggerated. For example the part where his brother constantly harass him to tell her to stay in Iran. How can she possibly understand what he says if she cant speak farsi?
And how can she not realize his evil during her marriage in the US.
However facts like if a woman has the free will to divorce or whether a woman needs a husbands permission to travel outside the country are facts which I guess can be checked.
As far as leaving the country, yes, a woman in Iran does need the permission of her husband for leaving the country. It is one of the things that woman's rights activists in Iran are working to change...though I would say in 85% of the time, there is never any problems with that. Actually in today's Iran, a lot of men with wife and kids, would not think twice about giving that permission if it means they can send their family abroad for a better life. My own father is still in Iran.
With divorce, there is a very cloudy and gray area. It does depend on the situation, and while a woman needs a very strong case for divorcing...it has actually become a major problem in today's Iranian society. A lot of girls find rich guys to marry, setting very high and expensive Mahriye (marriage portion) and later find ways to divorce and collect on that expensive mahriye.
Look I suffered greatly from this generalization. Everytime I went to a foreign country, people discriminated against me and made wife beating jokes when finding out that Im Iranian, which really bothered me. However the generalization does come from somewhere, it might be overstated but it does come from somewhere, and one can argue that there is a laxity in the culture to enforce womans rights that enables it to exist.
Well of course it comes from somewhere...every generalization comes from somewhere, but that does not validate any of them as they are all simply due to a lack of knowledge more than simply coming from somewhere. Saying wife beating is in the Iranian culture is like saying racism is in white american culture and violence and murder in black american culture. Where as I could easily show that those are not really within the CULTURES as much as they are simply among individuals of EVERY society.
Correct however I then rewrote my statement saying that there is a laxity in the culture for womans rights that enables men to take liberties (wrt to voiolence). Meaning that there isnt necessarily a culture to beat woman, but to not take womans rights too seriously.
And in this country for example, there is plenty of freedom of speech in this country, allowing organizations such as KKK to still exist and practice their ideologies, but again, that does not mean racism is welcomed in the american culture. The issue with woman's rights in Iran is much more of a political issue than cultural issue, especially in today's iranian society. Just because the government does not enforce it, does not mean the people do not, culturally.
Whwre thats where I disagree with you. I agree that just because a government doesnt enforce something it doesnt mean that...... however the fact remains that violence against woman is still commonplace in Iran more so than in the west. No I have not done a statistical study...however I am aware of the culture as I am part of it and know people who have lived there for 60 years (thats many people)
I too am part of it, and not only do I know people who have lived there.....I MYSELF, have lived there. So I go not based on what I have heard from others, but what I know from the society based on first hand experience.
You shifted from it being part of the culture, to all of a sudden comparing statistics....now you are simply arguing 2 different points....
My last comment below is a different subject, however the point of the statistic that I was making is that I never did a survey or made statistics. I admit that my information is based on second hand evidence. I was never in Iran even tough I was a citizen for many years and speak the language. That I admit.
However second hand information from many people has SOME credibility.
I agree. If he really wanted to help Iranians during the war he shouldve gone himself. I think Betty exaggerated a bit, but I believe the main these is true.
Perhaps he should have gone alone. It was probably not a very bright or good idea for him to take his family along with him. There were certainly bad decisions made on both sides. But the problem is that WE are presented with either the Hollywood constructed and dramatized version of Betty's story, or Mahmoody's lack of complete honesty and truthfulness in his version. THAT is why we should not be in any position to really take sides on such complicated family oriented matter.
Its funny because my mom and all my four grandparents are Persians. I even had an Iranian passport for 22 years. Although I never witnessed any violence amongst Persians, I did ask many Persians on husbands beating wifes and many Iranians told me that unfortunately it is true, that Iran has somewhat that culture.
It is not a "culture", yes, there is violence among certain Iranian families just as there exists violence among certain families of American, British, German, French and almost every other society. But to present this as if it is part of any culture, is simply silly. Even in a country such as Afghanistan, parts of which was ruled for years under the savage-like backwards Taleban, where women suffered greatly, I would argue that it was not part of the culture to oppress women.
He is selfish and this only displays his character in that light. I would never take my children to a war zone. Yes we can understand he wanted to help his people. He didn't have to take a small child and risk her safety in the process.
I really cant look at this video without feeling a thing for Mr Mahmoody. It was a hugh mistake by Betty to write those things about what iranians put in their food cuz even I know that isn't true and only by saying that she became less trustworthy in my eyes. I think Mr Mahmoody might have made this story a little bit nicer than it actually was, and I defenetly think Betty made her story even more horrible and cruel than it actually were. Im really sorry for Mahtob.. / From Sweden
Thing that gets me... If he was so afraid for his people, and wanted to help them, why would he drag his young daughter into it? Why not go there and help, then come back?
Nobody in there right mind would drag a young child to a country that's encased in a violent war. a country that she has not spent any time in... etc.
Hearing his side of the story does not help his case any in my opinion. Just goes to show he's one minded and not very smart.
Interesting to see this, I don't know the truth but there seems to be a lot of discrepancies in Betty's story. The film made us believe that Betty was left penniless, it seemed she got a lot of money out of her husband.
Why does Betty still keep the last name of Mahmoody? If she was so brutalized by this man then why have the last name at all? Wouldnt she love to be so seperated from him that she would have changed her name? I guess she had other things to do like write a terrible book with an even worse Hollywood knock off.
I agree, but she did say in her book that she felt that if she didn't go, he would take Mahtoub and she would never see her again.If that was indeed the case, motherhood would take precedence over common sense. I feel bad for him and I hope his daughter will consider getting in touch with him since there is no threat now. Such a waste.... Thanks for posting....
I understand him wanting to do something for his people but why would you bring your little girl and your American wife over there at a time like that? I agree that the truth is somewhere in the middle but I don't think he's being candid.
Let's for the sake of argument, say that Betty was forced to do things against her will in Iran, because she had no other choice, But was she or would it have been possible for the man to FORCE her to go in THIS country? That is what I think you should really wonder, if you are to ask that question about Betty.
U.S. Iran situation at that time were much more tense, and there was much more anti-Iran propaganda at that time, so wouldn't you think an ordinary american would simply refuse to go?
Duh, she said she didn't want to go, but sympathized with him because he missed his family so much, and apparently he swore on the Qu'ran that they wold be safe, so she trusted and believed him and that's why she went, but it turned out that he was lying.
what i dont understand is why betty claims that it was suppose to be a two week vacation..who the fuck goes to a country who is currently being bombed left and right for vacation?!? makes no sense. though I do agree that Dr. Mahmoody shouldnt have taken his wife and daughter to Iran at a time of war. I understand that he wanted to help his home country, but it was too dangerous for a woman and a child. I think betty is at the very least lying about the vacation thing.
There are 3 sides to this story in my opinion, His, hers and the truth and in the United States, they tend to believe the woman... it is sad and sexist but it is reality for some reason, as a man, I am almost more apt to believe his side of this and I have read the book and saw the movie I was interested in this when I saw it... Thanks for posting it.
Thanks for posting the movie. I've created a facebook group to encourage Mahtob Mahmoody to talk and meet with her father. Please join the group. Thanks.
It weren't the events in his own country that drove him back. He was being gang stalked in the U.S. Without the internet there was no way that he could have figured out that it was really government organized harassment back then. Look up some videos on gang stalking on YouTube.
Jim2011Bo 2 months ago
I feel sorrow for this woman
Swedenleslie 1 year ago
@Swedenleslie So do I hun..
mama3183 1 month ago
So does anyone know what mahtob said atlast? I feel so sorry for Moody, he died quite young in my opinion
Moviestar20 1 year ago
no one can be sure what did happen between them!!!!! but if i was instead of mahtaab, i could give a chance to my father to see me, or i could try to see him, atleast once.
shinaziiiii 1 year ago
@shinaziiiii The last person I wanted to see was my father after the a childhood of physical and emotional abuse so sorry I Understand Mahtaab
shasel1104 1 year ago
"Americans tend to view things as black and white."
Well, I wouldn't always say that, but in this case, I think holding someone in a war zone against their will does not fall into a gray area, it's wrong. Also, giving them "permission" to go out shopping does not cancel that out. Let's hear a wife in the US talk about how her husband gives her permission to leave the house and see how many people are impressed by his kindness.
snowangelnc 1 year ago
Maybe she exaggerated(All movies exaggerate), either way she was held against her will and could not go back to her home. She did not want to be in Iran and her husband took her there. She was not Islamic and did not want to wear a headdress because she wasn't Islamic, so I don't get anyone else's point. She was tricked into staying there and she escaped.
AmericanPrincess25 1 year ago
@AmericanPrincess25 exactly, a movie exaggerates, that doesn't mean SHE did. The most damning evidence that her life there was bad is, if she had nothing to escape from why did she have to escape? I doubt she would risk life and limb if she was free to come and go just like anyone else. She was barely gone and her husband had contacted the authorities to close airports to her. If she was being watched so closely how did that happen?
kerryoke68 1 year ago
An opportunist high school educated woman that thought struck gold by marrying a Doctor, she was not ready for the culture shock, typical of many American woman, she kept the last name to reap the benefit...
beverlyhillschic 1 year ago
-Only in America would authorities believe a black guy
killed the husband...-
-Only in America would people believe the woman's
side of the story.-
EckoOutlawProduction 1 year ago
The watch story is not credible because it says it was given to him in 1984. Mahtob was FIVE years old at the time. I seriously doubt she would be able to give him a watch with money at that point in her life.
1prouddemocrat 1 year ago
What bothers me is that in Betty's book, she has nothing but wonderful things to say about Alice, and now this woman Alice is slamming her.
QueenShelley 1 year ago
I think Betty Mahmoody may have exaggerated the conditions. americans are known for their intolerance of other countries but maybe Dr mahmoody was a controlling husband. i think there is probably wrong on both sides.
nasturtium818 1 year ago
I'm sure there are truths to both sides of the story. I remember what Iran was like in the 80's. I can understand him wanting to go back and help his people but to bring his American wife and his little daughter was a very selfish act. I was dating a guy from Iran at this time and my best friend was also from there. My boyfriend was good to me but did act different when with family. My friend's father completely disowned her for marrying an American. He has never seen his grandchildren.
bonneeblu 2 years ago
But nobody answer them my question... why they went to Iran?? if they were so happy why they scape?? of course nobody is gonna say that she did right!!! if she could then travel trough the frontier how she leave from the country??? i mean there so many thing with out answer... and why is that woman talking a lot if maybe she knew betty only for a short period of time.
eswinipi 2 years ago
I warched this movie years ago
ginaven1 2 years ago
i don't what to believe..
kiwikid2013 2 years ago
Isn't she Alice?? In part one she talks about her daughter "Sammi" . I think Alice daughter's name was Samira!?
sharri81 2 years ago
im sure its ellen,
or otherwise the woman who dropped out of high school to marry an iranian boy and have children, who was too scared to go against her husbands wishes and was going to rat betty out of her escaping plan to moody. so im sure she's been told what to say to please her husband, as they all respect moody for being a doctor, funny how a doctor takes the hypocratic oath to protect people and look what he put his own family through.
SshhBatman 2 years ago
She must be Ellen
salikagroeg 2 years ago
No, this is Alice.
juana1234 2 years ago
red haired girl is ellen, as in the book her daughter was same age as bettys and they played together.. i believe it .. to an extent!!!! im sure alot of it was made worse by author
Colada1985 2 years ago
I agree. But I really do doubt that Betty just made the entire story up. We all know how terrible it is in Iran.
Nine00 2 years ago
man these people are so full of shit. she planned this, she wanted money? brining up the fact that the guy that helped betty write the book is a zionist.. no it cant posibly be that she is telling the truth. ugh
jjasminek1115 2 years ago
the psycho Betty wanted Money,that is fact
camelia1999 2 years ago
who is the blond woman who speaks a lot of time ?
dian70bul08 2 years ago
she is an old friend of betty and moddy(what ever his name is..) she is also from US and married to an man from Iran..
MrsTiniWini 2 years ago
she was a friend of betty, they were together in the koran-school...she is american, too...in the book is written, that she wanted to escape earlier, but then she thought about it and was happy with her situation in iran.
TheJessiii94 2 years ago
her name is alice, she is an american who lives in Iran and she knew betty and Mahmoody when they both lived in Iran, and btw how could she have seen any bruises or anything on Betty if they were covered up the whole time.
lvp20 2 years ago
:)))
dian70bul08 2 years ago
But I'm wondering, maybe the woman could be Ellen Rafaie too. In the book Alice is described as dark-haired person... and in the movie Ellen is blond, too. I'm not sure.
And how I can imagine, this blond woman talked in this or the last movieclip about her husband Malek. And this is definitely the husband from Alice and not from Ellen.
traaance 2 years ago
I think the blond woman is Alice Sharif, because she talked about Betty Mahmoody as her best friend and "sister", and that was the same as in the book. And Alice has a daughter, which is named Samira (called Sammy) and who is calling Mahtob in this movie, because they played often together in the Iran.
traaance 2 years ago
who is the blond woman who speaks a lot of time ??
Lisaaaa95 2 years ago
thats Alice Sharif which even is a central person in the book of Betty Mahmoody.
she has a daughter, which is named Samira (called Sammy) and who calls Mahtob in this movie, cause they were playing together.
Hm....in the book Alice is described as a dark-haired person. dont know if shes really.
Maybe that blond woman here may be Ellen Rafaie, which playes a role in the film, too.
traaance 2 years ago
Hm.... i think the woman is Alice Sharif, which playes a central role in the book. Alice has a daughter named Samira (called Sammy) which calls Mahtob in this movie cause they played together as childs.
Or this woman can be Ellen Rafaie... because Alice is describes as a dark-haired person, and Ellen is blonde.
traaance 2 years ago
All I have to say is I believe Betty...that American friend she had there and the women they have speaking that knew her and Mahtob they cant be telling the truth because if they say what REALLY happened they will end up getting beat on or whatever for making their husbands look bad or their country.
sky373625 2 years ago
Yes you are right and I do agree with you
Fer2302Mulder 2 years ago
World wide women do not have the rights that men do. Religion promotes this inequality.
Turbocane 2 years ago
I do agree with you.
:-)
Persiaisgreat 2 years ago
If Betty's story is a fake, so all the other stories about kidnapping of womens and childs are false too!!!!
what about the story of the Muhsen sisters???
is it a fake too???
It's easy to tell any critics if you did'nt live the same situation!!!!
liubaify 2 years ago
I believe Betty 100%...it's hard not to after all the stories I have heard that are very similar to Not Without My Daughter.Why would Betty lie?She has dedicated her life to helping women in similar situations.
91Allets 2 years ago
her daughter mahtab is heartless cause at the end of the DAYYYYY thats HER father, his father died today and she never called him, and never answerd his calls, im sorry for YOU.everybody makes mistake,her mother brain washed her for sure,but now she was old enough to talk to her dad. IM SORRY FOR YOU MAHTAB. HEARTLESS <<< one word
shabnamix 2 years ago
It was really jerky of her not to invite him to her wedding either!!! But then again she was totally brainwashed by her mother, grandmother and the Jews who surrounded them!!!
ctswardour 2 years ago
Blame the Jews. You make me sick. Its true that the movie demonized Iran. God only knows what went on in that family. But why blame the Jews.
manmagicdamn 2 years ago
For someone who hated her husband so much and wanted to get away why didnt she change her last name?
311herbs 2 years ago
For her daughter. But then you could ask, well, why didn't she change both of their last names.
To me it shows that she tried her best in a situation that was against her in every way. Her keeping that last name for her daughter shows integrity.
faithinthedesert 2 years ago
That's certainly one possibility, but what about marketing purposes? Could that be a possibility? You would be better known for your book and/or movie if you used the famous last name rather than your own unknown last name, right?
Just throwing it out there...
theevilpersian 2 years ago
He wasn't famous. No one would even know who he was had it not been for her and besides even if she would have changed her name the fact remains that something happened to her and she told the story.
Jesuiscettechienn 2 years ago
True-He made money off of those 'lectures' of his against Betty, her book and the movie. Mahtob is now 30 and maintains to this day that he often beat her mother in front of her-she remembers and still maintains he kept them captive. I don't blame her for not ever wanting to see him again-though I do feel sorry for him to a degree but his actions brought it all upon himself.
faeryquene 2 years ago
@theevilpersian Yes it amazes me that people don't see that there was money to be made in this thing. There still is. Plenty of Islamophobic groups would love to get together with Betty and Mahtob and sing "Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran."
BrendaQG 1 year ago
That's what I was going to say!!
Good Answer
Jesuiscettechienn 2 years ago
she did! betty and mahtob are living under secret aliases in the witness protection program
lvp20 2 years ago
It seems that if you take everything in the movie as fact it is obvious what happened: a x-tian American married an Iranian Moslem and was not happy with the middle eastern culture and had no idea what it means to be a "good wife" according to middle eastern standards and felt that the American way was the only right/just one. Of course this Iranian man is anti-zionist -- he is like most everyone else in his country. His daughter does not want to see him or she would have contacted him herself.
harchinam 2 years ago 3
I can't blame her for not wanting to see him whether parts of the story are embellished or not, she and her mom have been by each other's side all these years. A daughter feels a mother's pain.
I think the muslim family is playing sheep so they can get someone to give location of where they are and vengeance will be gotten somehow.
faithinthedesert 2 years ago
Mahtob should speak to her father. This is cruel to him at this point. He is old and would want to see her before he dies.
rubyflipper 2 years ago
It is also important to be said. Tha other stories that sympathized with the fact that there are men who take their children away to other countries to prevent mother to have access to them. THis is a fact. Many women in other Arab countries can or may see their children only with the permission of the dad. I know this as a fact examples Syria and Saudi Arabia
cadenza46 2 years ago 3
America has proven to give parental rights to those who have parental right. like the boy from Cuba. Elian Gonzalez. Something doesn't sound right here. I do not believe what this ma is saying. And from the moment he accuses the writer of the book a zionist which is an arab prerogative of disgrace to someone it is his hatred that shows
cadenza46 2 years ago 3
I disagree with the gentleman at 8:00. In the film Air Force One, the terrorists were European, I believe. I dont believe that Americans generally portray Islams as "the enemy". Also, the villian in all the lastest superhero movies (Spiderman, Superman, XMEN) the villian is typically a white male.
wickedfan5172 2 years ago
In Betty's story, Alice is portrayed as somewhat "brainwashed", and in Mahmoody's documentary, she also seems to not be in touch with reality (suggesting that Betty's claimed escape route was false).
BlindAccount 2 years ago 2
Okay, if they didn't go for a "two week vacation", what did he tell her to convince her to go? He doesn't comment on that point after he explains the first comment. Look, straight up: If this Betty woman lied to sell her story, shame on her, and she will answer for it. But, man it should be up to Mahtob at this age if she wants to see her father. Remember: There ARE two sides to every story. AND: If you CAN'T prove something it is YOUR opinion. This man should at least speak with Mahtob.
Mite0m 2 years ago
i think he told Betty it was going to be a two week vacation and imprisoned Betty and Mahtob daughter but i also believe after seeing this that Betty might have exaggerated her living conditions in Iran and the amount of freedom she had but Mahtob did not really love her father after she SAW him beat her mom up, she even talked about it and how in that moment all her love and admiration for her father vanished,
laurarox4ever 2 years ago 5
OK This AMERICAN film professor has quite a bit of negativie things to say regarding his OWN country.....maybe he should go and live in Iran for a year...or rather just stay there......asshole
jfm072077 2 years ago
Dude chill out hes giving the other side of the story. Which is probbably false.
payaza2002 2 years ago 2
alice's daughter is really pretty!
luckygurl70 2 years ago
Most Iranian women are ;)
javee727 2 years ago
Hey, here is an idea!! why doesn't "doctor" Mahmoody go to America to try to get custody of his child. Is it FEAR, or a passport thats stoping him? Or even better why can't the doc arrange to fight for the custody of the child in neutral soil. I am sure that can be arranged. This is not a story about Iran or its people. Iran has wonderful people the world knows. Its time to face justice "doc" BE A MAN.
vfrancob 2 years ago
because of "Not without my daughter" he is now persona non grata (an unwelcome person) in America, so even if he had the money. he is not allowed to come on American soil...
msimpish08 2 years ago
Comment removed
MissBanana09 2 years ago
For what I've seen until now some Americans and some Iranians are the same. They say americans stereotype them but they do the same with americans so they are all stupid ppl.
incompleteinsanity 2 years ago
Beety is obviously telling the ruth theres no way she would have gone through all of that if she was lying
rara1800 2 years ago
Betty was not the only one that observed her life in Iran. Mahtob was there and if Betty lied then surely Mahtob would have defended her daddy.
im2xsblu 2 years ago 2
Which brings up what I want to post here:
I'd like to see a documentary or read a book where Mahtob tells her side of the story. Since she most likely wouldn't take sides to either of her parents but just speak of the events she witnessed.
KinakoIshiyama 2 years ago 5
I agree with you but the girl was only 6 when she left Iran....it might be hard for her to remember those things in much detail.
masterofmetacognitio 2 years ago 2
Mahtob has done interviews for domestic violence. She says she remembers her father beating her mother and being afraid of him. She was over 6 when she left Iran, and a memory like that would stay with you. She has no desire for contact with her father.
Also this Alice woman, if you read the book, only met Betty towards the end and didn't know her for very long before she escaped. Her comments about not seeing any bruises on Betty are ridiculous as Betty wore Iranian covered clothing
hanananahd14 2 years ago 4
Are there any videos (or links) about these interviews with Mahtob?
I am curious to know... I saw the movie many years ago, but I just heard about this documentary today. From the experience of several of my friends, Iranians (and Iran) are not the "evil" people that the american media portrays them to be. The movie/book has as much "right" to be questioned as this documentary may be.
javee727 2 years ago
Are there any videos (or links) about these interviews with Mahtob?
I am curious to know... I saw the movie many years ago, but I just heard about this documentary today. From the experience of several of my friends, Iranians (and Iran) are not the "evil" people that the media portrays them to be. The movie has as much "right" to be questioned as this documentary may be.
javee727 2 years ago
What he's saying about the war has a point. I hate how our country is always supporting these repressive regimes- Guatemala, Pinochet, Saddam Hussein, Islom Karimov... Not to mention someone called bin Laden
Kalibasa 3 years ago
Hello
Meoli55 3 years ago
People have you ever tried to post a comment, without profanity or any hate message, just
Meoli55 3 years ago
all Americans a right wing whack jobs that scapegoat ethnic groups for what's wrong in the world.
lemurguy07 3 years ago
Um, actually I'm learning Arabic and I'm an advocate for Palestinian human rights... And I've even defended *some* of what Ahmedinejad says. It's not like I treat all Iranians like they're Khomeini or all muslims like they're bin Laden, so give us a little credit! We're not all like King George III. Chokran...
Kalibasa 3 years ago
justified hatred, but did we hate all Russians? No! Terrorists, yes, we aren't fond of them. Do we hate all Arabs? No! Most Arabs aren't terrorists, we make that abundantly clear. I like people universally, along with most American's. We don't have a need to hate someone, and when we are against a certain group (terrorists, communists) people just assume that means we hate everyone of a race or nationality. No matter what administration is in office at any given time, it's sick to assume that
lemurguy07 3 years ago
WHAT. THE. FUCK. That dude at 9:00 seriously pisses me off. Way to stereotype Americans there. Want to hear a fun little fact? The majority of Americans don't like to hate. As a member of the Obama generation, this mindset is what really annoys me. People just judge America on the past 8 years of our idiotic president (who we didn't even elect, but supreme court bias got him in). People would always make fun of Bush to insult us, when we make fun of him more than anyone else. Comunism was a
lemurguy07 3 years ago
Betty's friend is really annoying me. She keeps saying "She was able to go out, she was free to go shopping and whenever I asked her to go somewhere she was free...". What's her point? Who cares if she's free? She didn't WANT TO BE IN IRAN. She should stay neutral and say, "Well, I thought I knew what was going on at the time, but now I don't & although I have a few ideas about all this, I can't say because I wasn't her."
PillowFightNight 3 years ago 3
I think her point was to counter what betty claims in terms of being imprisoned and not being allowed to leave the house, and whether betty's friend is telling the truth or not, she is simply giving HER OWN observation in the context of betty's freedom in Iran. Not whether she liked Iran or not.
After all betty's friend has more knowledge of what really happened as a friend, than you or I would as the audience and observers.
theevilpersian 3 years ago
but theres a difference between being free to go shopping, and being free to go home to america.
AuntyTala 3 years ago
As I stated in my previous comment, Betty's friend is simply describing what SHE observed about Betty's life in Iran. She is responding to Betty's claims in her book, of being imprisoned in the house. NOT whether she was able to leave Iran or not. Those are 2 different matters. And of course there is a difference...
theevilpersian 3 years ago
If the above woman really wants to convince the people that she is telling the truth, then perhaps she should travel to the US and then speak.
aaronnejad 3 years ago 4
So True!
Liveit2loveit 3 years ago
There again some parts of NWMD are blatantly exaggerated. For example the part where his brother constantly harass him to tell her to stay in Iran. How can she possibly understand what he says if she cant speak farsi?
And how can she not realize his evil during her marriage in the US.
However facts like if a woman has the free will to divorce or whether a woman needs a husbands permission to travel outside the country are facts which I guess can be checked.
aaronnejad 3 years ago
As far as leaving the country, yes, a woman in Iran does need the permission of her husband for leaving the country. It is one of the things that woman's rights activists in Iran are working to change...though I would say in 85% of the time, there is never any problems with that. Actually in today's Iran, a lot of men with wife and kids, would not think twice about giving that permission if it means they can send their family abroad for a better life. My own father is still in Iran.
theevilpersian 3 years ago
With divorce, there is a very cloudy and gray area. It does depend on the situation, and while a woman needs a very strong case for divorcing...it has actually become a major problem in today's Iranian society. A lot of girls find rich guys to marry, setting very high and expensive Mahriye (marriage portion) and later find ways to divorce and collect on that expensive mahriye.
theevilpersian 3 years ago
Look I suffered greatly from this generalization. Everytime I went to a foreign country, people discriminated against me and made wife beating jokes when finding out that Im Iranian, which really bothered me. However the generalization does come from somewhere, it might be overstated but it does come from somewhere, and one can argue that there is a laxity in the culture to enforce womans rights that enables it to exist.
aaronnejad 3 years ago
Well of course it comes from somewhere...every generalization comes from somewhere, but that does not validate any of them as they are all simply due to a lack of knowledge more than simply coming from somewhere. Saying wife beating is in the Iranian culture is like saying racism is in white american culture and violence and murder in black american culture. Where as I could easily show that those are not really within the CULTURES as much as they are simply among individuals of EVERY society.
theevilpersian 3 years ago
Correct however I then rewrote my statement saying that there is a laxity in the culture for womans rights that enables men to take liberties (wrt to voiolence). Meaning that there isnt necessarily a culture to beat woman, but to not take womans rights too seriously.
aaronnejad 3 years ago
And in this country for example, there is plenty of freedom of speech in this country, allowing organizations such as KKK to still exist and practice their ideologies, but again, that does not mean racism is welcomed in the american culture. The issue with woman's rights in Iran is much more of a political issue than cultural issue, especially in today's iranian society. Just because the government does not enforce it, does not mean the people do not, culturally.
theevilpersian 3 years ago
Whwre thats where I disagree with you. I agree that just because a government doesnt enforce something it doesnt mean that...... however the fact remains that violence against woman is still commonplace in Iran more so than in the west. No I have not done a statistical study...however I am aware of the culture as I am part of it and know people who have lived there for 60 years (thats many people)
aaronnejad 3 years ago
I too am part of it, and not only do I know people who have lived there.....I MYSELF, have lived there. So I go not based on what I have heard from others, but what I know from the society based on first hand experience.
You shifted from it being part of the culture, to all of a sudden comparing statistics....now you are simply arguing 2 different points....
theevilpersian 3 years ago
My last comment below is a different subject, however the point of the statistic that I was making is that I never did a survey or made statistics. I admit that my information is based on second hand evidence. I was never in Iran even tough I was a citizen for many years and speak the language. That I admit.
However second hand information from many people has SOME credibility.
aaronnejad 3 years ago
oh I in no way discredit second hand information. It is indeed valuable and useful. But everybody will paint the same picture differently for you.
theevilpersian 3 years ago
I agree. If he really wanted to help Iranians during the war he shouldve gone himself. I think Betty exaggerated a bit, but I believe the main these is true.
aaronnejad 3 years ago
Perhaps he should have gone alone. It was probably not a very bright or good idea for him to take his family along with him. There were certainly bad decisions made on both sides. But the problem is that WE are presented with either the Hollywood constructed and dramatized version of Betty's story, or Mahmoody's lack of complete honesty and truthfulness in his version. THAT is why we should not be in any position to really take sides on such complicated family oriented matter.
theevilpersian 3 years ago
Its funny because my mom and all my four grandparents are Persians. I even had an Iranian passport for 22 years. Although I never witnessed any violence amongst Persians, I did ask many Persians on husbands beating wifes and many Iranians told me that unfortunately it is true, that Iran has somewhat that culture.
aaronnejad 3 years ago
It is not a "culture", yes, there is violence among certain Iranian families just as there exists violence among certain families of American, British, German, French and almost every other society. But to present this as if it is part of any culture, is simply silly. Even in a country such as Afghanistan, parts of which was ruled for years under the savage-like backwards Taleban, where women suffered greatly, I would argue that it was not part of the culture to oppress women.
theevilpersian 3 years ago
He is selfish and this only displays his character in that light. I would never take my children to a war zone. Yes we can understand he wanted to help his people. He didn't have to take a small child and risk her safety in the process.
Frescita81 3 years ago 2
I really cant look at this video without feeling a thing for Mr Mahmoody. It was a hugh mistake by Betty to write those things about what iranians put in their food cuz even I know that isn't true and only by saying that she became less trustworthy in my eyes. I think Mr Mahmoody might have made this story a little bit nicer than it actually was, and I defenetly think Betty made her story even more horrible and cruel than it actually were. Im really sorry for Mahtob.. / From Sweden
Jnnzz 3 years ago
Thing that gets me... If he was so afraid for his people, and wanted to help them, why would he drag his young daughter into it? Why not go there and help, then come back?
Nobody in there right mind would drag a young child to a country that's encased in a violent war. a country that she has not spent any time in... etc.
Hearing his side of the story does not help his case any in my opinion. Just goes to show he's one minded and not very smart.
ParanormalIndiana 3 years ago 2
Boy has she been brainwashed!!
WOBXW 3 years ago 5
Interesting to see this, I don't know the truth but there seems to be a lot of discrepancies in Betty's story. The film made us believe that Betty was left penniless, it seemed she got a lot of money out of her husband.
gailowens 3 years ago 2
But she will never do that :))
They have afraided her so much.
She has only pictures of Iran but by watching
this movie and other things such as news and ...
Now she has an inferno in her mind
The movie was a thoroughly false exaggeration and ...
miladmzz 3 years ago
I've created a facebook group to encourage Mahtob Mahmoody to talk and meet with her father. Please join the group.
NotAnEvilPersian 3 years ago
like who cares
BardleyCfan 3 years ago
Why does Betty still keep the last name of Mahmoody? If she was so brutalized by this man then why have the last name at all? Wouldnt she love to be so seperated from him that she would have changed her name? I guess she had other things to do like write a terrible book with an even worse Hollywood knock off.
mskilj 3 years ago
I agree, but she did say in her book that she felt that if she didn't go, he would take Mahtoub and she would never see her again.If that was indeed the case, motherhood would take precedence over common sense. I feel bad for him and I hope his daughter will consider getting in touch with him since there is no threat now. Such a waste.... Thanks for posting....
bonneeblu 3 years ago 2
Even that American guy started laughing when they asked him why she was honored with a Pjd degree from their university.
mohimohi1983 3 years ago 3
I understand him wanting to do something for his people but why would you bring your little girl and your American wife over there at a time like that? I agree that the truth is somewhere in the middle but I don't think he's being candid.
bonneeblu 3 years ago 5
Let's for the sake of argument, say that Betty was forced to do things against her will in Iran, because she had no other choice, But was she or would it have been possible for the man to FORCE her to go in THIS country? That is what I think you should really wonder, if you are to ask that question about Betty.
U.S. Iran situation at that time were much more tense, and there was much more anti-Iran propaganda at that time, so wouldn't you think an ordinary american would simply refuse to go?
theevilpersian 3 years ago
Duh, she said she didn't want to go, but sympathized with him because he missed his family so much, and apparently he swore on the Qu'ran that they wold be safe, so she trusted and believed him and that's why she went, but it turned out that he was lying.
xXazuraXx 3 years ago 2
Lol...yea...that is what the book/movie tells you alright...
This is when being logical about the situation kicks in.
theevilpersian 3 years ago
what i dont understand is why betty claims that it was suppose to be a two week vacation..who the fuck goes to a country who is currently being bombed left and right for vacation?!? makes no sense. though I do agree that Dr. Mahmoody shouldnt have taken his wife and daughter to Iran at a time of war. I understand that he wanted to help his home country, but it was too dangerous for a woman and a child. I think betty is at the very least lying about the vacation thing.
amont009 3 years ago 6
why would it be dangerous for a woman! DUH, i read female degradation!
Lollipopnea 3 years ago
There are 3 sides to this story in my opinion, His, hers and the truth and in the United States, they tend to believe the woman... it is sad and sexist but it is reality for some reason, as a man, I am almost more apt to believe his side of this and I have read the book and saw the movie I was interested in this when I saw it... Thanks for posting it.
MyRealityIsBetter 3 years ago
Thanks for posting the movie. I've created a facebook group to encourage Mahtob Mahmoody to talk and meet with her father. Please join the group. Thanks.
NotAnEvilPersian 3 years ago