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'Not Without My Daughter' Iranian father dies

posted 15 years ago by richsmi
47 replies | jump to latest

'Not Without My Daughter' Iranian father dies
(AFP) -

TEHRAN - Iranian Bozorg Mahmoody, whose American ex-wife portrayed him as
abusive in a controversial best-seller after escaping Iran with their
daughter, died Saturday, official IRNA news agency reported.

Mahmoody, a US-educated doctor, "died in a Tehran hospital this morning
because of kidney problems and other complications," his nephew Majid Ghodsi
told IRNA. He was 70.

His ex-wife Betty Mahmoody portrayed him as abusive and domineering in the
controversial best-seller "Not Without My Daughter" which she penned after
fleeing Iran with the couple's daughter Mahtob in 1984.

"He thought of his daughter till the end and passed away without seeing
Mahtob," Ghodsi told IRNA.

The book and its 1991 movie adaptation, starring Sally Field as Betty and
Alfred Molina as Mahmoody, was met with angry reaction from Iranians
offended by what they considered a "biased" depiction of their culture.

Betty Mahmoody claimed in her book that her husband brought the family to
Iran on a short visit but later forced them to stay and prevented her from
leaving for the United States with their daughter.

Under Iran's sharia-based law, the father is considered the main guardian of
the child and married Iranian women need their husband's consent to apply
for a passport.

Iran and the United States cut diplomatic ties after the 1979 Islamic
revolution and the seizure of US embassy in Tehran.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] rabbyt1 15 years ago

Pft good riddance- what a lying jerk. I don't need to watch that movie or read her book to know he's full of it and that woman was telling the truth.

And I am middle eastern- that movie is 100% accurate- my father was just as abusive as that man and my mom divorced him years ago after 20 years of abuse (and we were in America). He lied to her constantly (and my mother is middle eastern as well). I haven't spoken to my father in years because of his abusive ways and he goes around telling people HE did nothing wrong and can't understand why his children don't want him in his life. PFT!

I know I'll get flamed for this- but I grew up with all the middle eastern men cheating on their wives and abusing them and treating them like crap. This movie isn't biased- it's honest and depicts many muslim men for what they really are and that's what is upsetting them, the truth.

And just to add- there ARE decent muslim people out there- but not many in my experience.

[–] vcuncic 15 years ago

Thank you rabbyt1 for your courage to write that reply. I just watched the movie for the first time & was appalled by the treatment she received. I was however amazed and grateful for the truly wonderful Iranian people who helped her escape. They are truly heros and deserve our gratitude and praise. Nobody should be held against their will.

[–] mkayboi-1 15 years ago

It's amazing to me that people can criticize this movie as being racist and one-sided. This is a culture that completely tolerates, if not supports, abuse against woman. The law that automatically grants a man custody of his children is not one that the filmaker or Betty made up.

It is as incendiary as it is tragic. No one is criticizing people who are born into this culture, but for those who cannot look beyond it, they become monsters like the father in the movie.

"First you ask if you can be red, knowing that I'm always red."

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] tansut 14 years ago

so since you father was abusive, the movie is 100% accurate and men in ME are abusive by nature. What a flawless logical process! lol

So there is no chance that woman wanted to make some money by writing a book about "all-evil" Iranians during the political environment of 1980's in capitalist America. (capitalism meaning taking the opportunities the market offering to you)

[–] pnayballer10 14 years ago

So there is no chance that woman wanted to make some money by writing a book about "all-evil" Iranians during the political environment of 1980's in capitalist America. (capitalism meaning taking the opportunities the market offering to you)

I don't see anything wrong with her making money from her story. After what she went through, she should be given a fortune.

She's at least provided money for her daughter. A daughter that grew up in a country where she is given equal rights. And not treated like some property. If that's the future that this "so called father" had planned for his daughter than he deserves to burn in hell.

[–] rabbyt1 14 years ago

If you are referring to me tansut you must not have noticed where I said all the middle eastern men I grew up around with cheated on and abused their wives- so NO I'm not basing it merely on my father but all the middle eastern men I grew up around until my college years when I stopped speaking to my father.

[–] minamelandme 13 years ago

Adreese to rabbyt1 :So Only middle-eastern men have problem?What about the all time Drunk americans & eurupeans?
It is really easy to sit back & accept whatever lies they feed us in movies & not even giving the people of the nations being slandered by holly woood producers,the benefit of the doubt.This is not the first nor the last time that we see such movies drag not one,not 10 but millions of ppl's names through the mud just by making a movie most of which are made in the name of Comedies,the others dramas "based on truth".America's policy towards Iran & the middle east is obvious & its media tries to leave thae same impresion in public minds by showing the middle eastern ppl as a neanderthal generation,violent with no culture or civilization.
if they wanna let ppl know the truth why don't they tell them about the plans made by them & Betty -who is a member of CIA -several years before marrying Dr.Mahmud?Alice Sharif ,one of Betty's friends that also married an Iranian & now lives a happy ,rich life in Iran says"She betrayed all of us because we had a great life in Iran & were financially Supported by our educated husbands".The lies shown in this movie simply didn't include the cruelty of such a she-beast who prevented a compassionate father from seeing his only daughter ;a great unrecovereable sorrow that eventually lead to his death!
Before judgement hear both sides of the argument,if you believe in Justice

I am middle eastern,too & actually live in Iran.& Unlike the most nations of the world,we actually know who our fathers are,and aen't tempted to get proodf of DNA results to be sure of that.

[–] dcaupos 12 years ago

"So Only middle-eastern men have problem?"

By writing that, you do acknowledge the fact that they have problem.

Many Muslim countries treat women like *beep* we don't need to turn on tv or to watch a movie to know that.

As soon as a movie that does not go in your way of thinking is made or someone criticizes Islam, you are all dancing in the street with flags reading "Racism" everywhere.

European men do have problems and some are horrible to women, but, we, European people know it (I am European by the way so I know Muslims as they are numerous here) and try to fight it, why you, on the other hand, don't do anything because your f...ing religion authorizes it. Get out of the Middle Age! Evolve!

"unlike most nations of the world, we actually know who our fathers are, and aren't tempted to get proof of DNA results to be sure of that"

By writing that, you are saying the same thing that you were trying to condemn in your post. Don't generalize basing yourself only on a few disparate cases. You are insulting my culture and my father. But again, I know that this is what you Muslims believe of the Western World. Get your head off your Coran and your ass, and go see the world.

[–] drxcreatures 10 years ago

I was told that the twisted religion they follow does not match the Coran much at all. The jerks corrupted it into a way that serves THEM.

http://www.cgonzales.net & http://www.drxcreatures.com

[–] mischimaus 11 years ago

Alone the fact that a lot muslim countries have honor killings is horrifiying. When they kill their daughters only cause they have a boyfriend, they don't like. And they're proud of it! And the sons can do what ever they like. Or they stone their women to death when they cheat - while the men can do whatever they want. I just don't get it. Already shows they don't appreciate women at all. It's same with Turkey, Pakistan, and some other countries in that area too. They still live in stone-age it seems. You can be glad when you don't live there or India or so.

----
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

[–] Jane2005 15 years ago

Sad that Mahtoub didn't really get to know her father, but that was his fault. I say good riddance to the b*stard.

-Jane

[–] larkpraise 15 years ago

"I'll bet Betty Mahmoody is relieved but also sad because of what could have been had it not been for his lies and deception. I just don't understand how people can say that she was lying when she's got the proof by the stamped passports in Ankara, Turkey that show she escaped in a world of underground and intrigue.

Moody, however, NEVER, ever....offered one shred of evidence that Betty was the one who was lying.

[–] jmota-1 13 years ago

The only thing that is truly questioned and suspect is how she escaped, no way in hell she would have made it through the mountains, with Mahtob.

[–] megafauna005 13 years ago

WHY didn't he go to America to see Mahtob before he died??

He couldn't kidnap her here.

[–] LaneMarie88 13 years ago

He wasn't allowed back into the US

A Marine's Daughter! USA!!
´¨*¨)) -:¦:-
¸.•´ .•´¨*¨))
((¸¸.•´ .•´ -:¦:-
-:¦:

[–] megafauna005 13 years ago

Why wasn't he allowed back in the U.S.?

At least Mahtob should've said goodbye to him on the phone.

Like "Goodbye you A-hole".

[–] LaneMarie88 13 years ago

Betty divorced him and won custody of Mahtob, and he was declared an "undesirable" by the presiding judge...he couldn't get a visa to
enter the states.

A Marine's Daughter! USA!!
´¨*¨)) -:¦:-
¸.•´ .•´¨*¨))
((¸¸.•´ .•´ -:¦:-
-:¦:

[–] timothy-5 9 years ago

I read somewhere that she escaped through the mountains, but it was no easy feat. She suffered from exhaustion, and men had to carry her part of the way, and probably Mahtob too.

[–] sxymommacitaprincess_227 13 years ago

I no I prolly sound dumb for asking this but why In the hell would they give a Man full custody of the kids after a divorce? Children NEED their mothers.

[–] minamelandme 13 years ago

not the whole thing was lies u simpleton.just the horrible things she said abt iran are lies.she did runaway but not because of her bad situation and not because Drmahmudy didn't let her but to write this book & drag iranian's name through the mud!!

[–] Sei09 13 years ago

Troll feeding time.

the horrible things she said abt iran are lies
In all honesty, Betty didn't spend a whole lot of time talking about Iran, specifically. More that she didn't want to raise Mahtob there, didn't like the way she was being treated, Moody's family didn't like her, begging Moody to go home/not separate her from Mahtob, etc.

Things Betty DID say about Iran:
- Women are forced to cover up their bodies from head to toe. (Her opinion on it was that it was "primitive.")
- Women are treated as 2nd class citizens/property. (Not in so many words, I just forget the exact quote ATM)

So neither one of these things is true eh? If that's the case then I've got to give it to Iran, they've progressed a lot further than everyone thinks.

she did runaway but not because of her bad situation
1) So you think a situation where you're being physically abused/beaten is a good thing? "Oh, and by the way dear, you can't use the phone, talk to your family via any method, write letters, go outside for any reason, go grocery shopping without an escort, drive the family car, hold onto your own passport, have your own money, spend one moment unaccounted for, OR talk to anyone I'm not aware of, or I'll beat you senseless. Oh, and BTW I'll yell at you whenever I please and threaten your life occasionally too."
I get that we come from different cultures, but most people would consider that a 'bad situation.'

she did runaway but...not because Drmahmudy didn't let her
"Honey, I want to go home to America."
"Sure dear, I'll book a plane ticket tomorrow."
Psst- this is not how the conversation went. Sure- he never asked his family to watch her every move, never told her supervisors she wasn't allowed to take Mahtob anywhere, never ordered her not to leave the house, etc (sarcasm alert)

she did runaway but...to write this book & drag iranian's name through the mud
Yeah, because she couldn't have done this anywhere else. Oh WAIT- are Iranian housewives allowed to write books about their abusive husbands? (Once again, BAD SITUATION alert) Yes- Betty crossed miles of dusty, sandy road, snow-covered mountains and all with a small child JUST so she could write a book and besmirch all the Iranians all over the world- INCLUDING the ones that helped her. Oh darn, that's not right is it. She actually admitted that not all the Iranians are bad because some of them HELPED her at great risk to their own lives. She included that in her book and it was in the movie too, wasn't it.

In fact, maybe you should consider watching the movie again, because if you actually pay attention, you'll notice the only "bad" Iranians in the film were Moody & some members of his fanatical family. Everyone else was either neutral or trying to help her.

[–] drxcreatures 10 years ago

Well said, Sei09

http://www.cgonzales.net & http://www.drxcreatures.com

[–] dini0519 11 years ago

This ^ I read the book years ago, and am rereading it now. I feel he brought everything on himself.

Dini

[–] stevenackerman69 15 years ago

Good, I hope he is burning in hell now with the Ayatollah and Hitler. How he could do this to his wife and child is just crazy. Simpson probably thought, "Man, and I thought I was a wife abuser."

[–] the_darkness_of_poetic_humor 14 years ago

I do however as in art of the film, like the transformation of the character of Moody....the actor that portrayed him did a excellent job. It was nice, happy, loving in the beginning and then it falls apart very quickly like that....simply beautiful!!!

[–] stevenackerman69 13 years ago

Alfred Molina played the role (he was also Doc Ock in Spider Man 2 and Tevye on Broadway in Fiddler on the Roof). He was good. That is what makes an actor good.

[–] WC7886 14 years ago

Bias Americans and I say shame on you for saying I hope he is burning in hell, and glad he is dead. Is that the American way? Listening to one side of the story.

[–] dino-51 14 years ago

Hey WC7866 you should go spend a little time in Iran, then say there is only one side to the story.

[–] WC7886 14 years ago

Dino-

My family is from Armenia which is a neighbor Iran. Armenia is a Christian country and which Iran has very good relations with. I been living in the States for over 20 years now. My folks lived in Iran for a period of time and stated it was never that bad. I have a ton of Iranian-American friends who are nothing like the depictions that they are made out to be.

[–] dino-51 14 years ago

WC my wife is Armenian and Ive been married to her for 21 years, my mother in law was born in Iran along with her 3 siblings they all loved it there when they lived there over 50 years ago.My own opinion and my mother in law's, Iran is not the same country it use to be and if you dont think that there are not regions of that country that live like that (1984 to present day) than that is your opinion.

[–] stevenackerman69 13 years ago

It sure is, especially when it is the right way. He tricked his wife and daughter into going to Iran and kept them hostage there. It is good that he never saw his daughter again until he died.

[–] stevenackerman69 13 years ago

Well, it is my way. If I don't like somebody and that person dies, that is what I think. If they don't like it, let them rise up from the grave and haunt me. Hasn't happened yet and never will.

[–] minamelandme 13 years ago

This is the problem with u ppl.u don't know squat abt anything yet u think u know every thing.Ghosts aren't free to rise up from the grave & haunt ppl but he will get even with u in the afterlife.

[–] gGuardian 14 years ago

What goes around, comes around as they say. Good riddance. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

[–] sinnerofcinema 14 years ago

I'm glad he's dead. One less %#$hole to worry about.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] megafauna005 13 years ago

Didn't he remarry and have some kids in Iran?

[–] minamelandme 13 years ago

ok,anything u ppl dont like gets deleted but this jerk's reply doesn't???and he can curse & every thing?yeah that's human rights.really...

[–] JustMammal 13 years ago

When country devotes its meager resources into war, nuclear weapons and religious indoctrination, no wonder even doctors die from kidney problems (not that poor, uninsured in US don't die from trivial illness, but at least those who have money/insurance get the best healthcare in the world)

[–] megafauna005 13 years ago

I wonder why he didn't get a kidney transplant??

[–] JustMammal 13 years ago

Maybe that's why he wanted to meet his daughter - to get her kidney !

[–] minamelandme 13 years ago

not all ppl in the world are like u americans!(just like John Lock's father in Lost)u portray urselves the best!

[–] Movie_KING 11 years ago

*beep* off, raghead!

[–] stevenackerman69 12 years ago

Probably couldn't. And I wonder about his *beep* sister. Hope she's dead too.

[–] 13 years ago

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