Not Without My Daughter, 1991

"WE'RE HOME, BABY. WE'RE HOME." This is the last line uttered by Betty upon seeing the American embassy after a risky escape from Iran. This is a film mentioned by Dean Sed on first day of our PIL class. (Well, I really take down quotable quotes, film names, book names, poems that are mentioned by professors and people I look up to, in general. I was crying half of the time. Too much emotions in a film: betrayal, hopelessness, anger, hatred. 

I thought I have just met the man I hate the most  (Moody, in this film). There were lines which would occasionally trigger semi-violent reactions like:

It took her quite some time before she understood how to be a good wife.

I watched it 11pm-1am and kept on thinking about it until around 3am, before I was able to sleep. Upon waking up, I decided to research on the background of the film. Well, I usually research about a film or a book after I have seen or read it, because if I research before watching or reading, my mind may be prejudiced and unable to differentiate my appreciation of the art from other people's views. The film has several negative reviews and criticisms. Some, because it was racist and prejudiced and revealed the bad side of Iran and Iranians from only one perspective. Some called it a bad art because it was just coming from the point of view of Betty.

I don't see it as necessarily a bad art just because it merely showed Betty's view on events. Firstly, it is understood by the audience that it is Betty's version. Secondly, racist and prejudiced films do not equate to bad art (What if the intention is really to portray a racist version, as seen by an American? In that way, that will be a good art because the film was able to convey the emotions and even anger against the other party.) I am not saying I believed everything the film showed. That would be futile: believing as real a fiction (artistic work) which happened to be based on a true story. Of course, there are scenes that were products of the fictional mind.

The film depicts how love, courage, strength and hope can triumph against all odds. I felt for Betty when she felt like Moody betrayed her (in not telling her that he really intended them to live in Iran). I felt for her when she had to battle against everything for the sake of herself and her daughter. I know it may sound un-empowered, but I still think one of the worst feelings a woman can feel is when her husband whom she has always loved and trusted (from whom she equally received love and trust) changed all of sudden - including occasional physical and emotional violence. She would have felt extremely hopeless in a foreign place with almost no one to understand her predicaments. In addition to all the negative circumstances, she had to be a source of strength for her daughter. I love the courage of this woman who fought for what she wanted.

PS: There is a documentary released as a response to this film. The title is Without my Daughter. This is a version of Moody's side. There is also a book written by Moody. The title is Lost Without my Daughter.