Not Without My Daughter: Trauma, Truth, or Propaganda?

Okay, so I finally got around to watching "Not Without My Daughter" and, wow, I have thoughts. I know it came out way back in '91, but it's still so relevant to discussions about cultural clashes and the portrayal of the 'other' in film. My immediate reaction was super conflicted. On one hand, you absolutely feel Betty Mahmoody's terror and desperation, especially when she realizes her husband is never letting them leave Iran. Sally Field plays that claustrophobia brilliantly. That marketplace scene where she's pushed around and verbally abused? Chilling. But then, on the other hand... it all felt a little too neat, you know? Like, almost cartoonishly evil husband, saintly mother, and a very, very dangerous and 'backwards' Iran. My theory is that regardless of the reality of Betty Mahmoody's experience (and I'm not trying to invalidate her trauma), the film leans heavily into a Western-centric, almost Orientalist, perspective, especially with the constant visual cues of chaos and fanaticism, versus the calm, rational, and white protagonists. Think about the scene at the American Interests Section. The Iranian guards are portrayed as volatile and unpredictable, almost animalistic. It felt less like depicting a specific situation and more like reinforcing existing stereotypes. And the emphasis on the chador as a symbol of oppression felt... reductive. So, is the film a legitimate depiction of a harrowing escape, or effective propaganda, perhaps even unintentionally? I wonder if the film would be viewed differently if it were directed by an Iranian woman, or a woman of Middle Eastern descent. What nuances would be added? What would be challenged? I'm not saying the film is bad, it's definitely compelling. But it's also a powerful example of how easily narratives can be shaped to confirm pre-existing biases. The fact that Moody (the husband) comes across as such a one-dimensional villain makes it hard to really trust what the movie is 'selling.' Anyone else feel this way? Am I being too cynical? I'm super curious to hear your thoughts. Maybe some of you know more about the actual circumstances of the book and the various viewpoints on the situation. I want to know more!