When the Moon Was Full (2019) Plot Summary Explained

Faezeh chooses to remain in Pakistan with her three children despite having an opportunity to escape. The movie suggests she feels trapped by her circumstances and possibly believes she cannot leave her children behind or survive on her own in a foreign land. Her decision ultimately seals her fate within the militant environment.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Faezeh is already shown being pulled into Jundallah's world, making her entrapment gradually inevitable.

• faezeh
• pakistan
• escape
• captivity
• children

Abdolhamid kills Faezeh on direct orders from his older brother Abdolmalek, the leader of Jundallah. The murder demonstrates the absolute loyalty Abdolhamid maintains to his brother and the terrorist organization. He carries out the killing while she sleeps, showing it was not an act of passion but of compliance with militant authority.

Foreshadowing: Abdolhamid's initial involvement with Jundallah and his willingness to bring Faezeh into Pakistan foreshadow his capacity to follow orders no matter how brutal.

• abdolhamid
• faezeh
• murder
• abdolmalek
• orders
• jundallah

Jundallah (Soldiers of God) is a fictionalized portrayal of a real terrorist network operating in southeastern Iran near the Pakistan border. Led by Abdolmalek Rigi, the group carries out attacks, kidnappings, and beheadings. The movie depicts them as having ties to the Taliban and operating cross-border between Iran and Pakistan.

Foreshadowing: Abdolhamid's connection to his brother Abdolmalek is revealed early, establishing the threat from the start.

• jundallah
• terrorists
• abdolmalek
• taliban
• pakistan
• iran

Abdolmalek orders Shahab's beheading because Jundallah suspects him of being an Iranian intelligence agent. The group views him as a threat to their operations and uses his execution as both a warning to others and a propaganda tool. The brutal act also serves to intimidate Faezeh's family and demonstrate the group's ruthlessness.

Foreshadowing: The earlier revelation that Shahab and Faezeh are drawn into Jundallah activities sets the stage for this fatal suspicion.

• shahab
• execution
• abdolmalek
• jundallah
• beheading
• agent

In 2010, Abdolmalek is flying from Dubai to Bishkek on a regular Airbus passenger flight when an Iranian intelligence officer compels the plane to land in Iran. This forced landing is a covert operation that leads to the immediate arrest of both Abdolmalek and his brother Abdolhamid. The interception effectively ends their terrorist operations.

Foreshadowing: The film earlier establishes Abdolmalek's international travel and communications, hinting at his vulnerable movements.

• abdolmalek
• capture
• iran
• plane
• dubai
• bishkek
• arrest

The Iranian intelligence officer on board the Airbus uses some form of coercion or authority to divert the flight to Iran. This is depicted as a deliberate intelligence operation to capture Abdolmalek Rigi, who was traveling under the radar. The film suggests Iran coordinated the operation knowing his route and destination.

Foreshadowing: Earlier mentions of Abdolmalek's activities and international connections establish why Iran would want to intercept him.

• plane
• iran
• intercepted
• flight
• abdolmalek
• bishkek

After their capture following the forced plane landing, both Rigi brothers are put on trial in Iran. They are found guilty of numerous crimes including terrorism, murder, and kidnapping. Both brothers are executed in the same year (2010), bringing a definitive end to their operations and the personal tragedy that began with Abdolhamid meeting Faezeh.

Foreshadowing: The film consistently builds toward this tragic conclusion, with each violent act pushing the narrative toward its grim endpoint.

• execution
• trial
• abdolhamid
• abdolmalek
• iran
• 2010

Abdolmalek personally calls Faezeh and Shahab's father to demand he watch his son's execution video on Al-Arabiya television the following night. This is a psychological tactic designed to maximize intimidation and spread fear. By forcing a father to witness his child's murder on a news channel, Abdolmalek demonstrates the group's reach and cruelty.

Foreshadowing: The earlier beheading of Shahab already establishes Jundallah's propaganda tactics and willingness to use media for terror.

• beheading
• video
• abdolmalek
• father
• al-arabiya
• intimidation

The film mentions that Pakistan allegedly helped Iran capture the Rigi brothers, suggesting some level of cross-border cooperation despite Jundallah's operations in the region. This reflects the complex regional politics where Pakistan may have viewed Jundallah as a threat or sought to improve diplomatic relations with Iran. The exact motivations are presented as part of the geopolitical context surrounding the case.

Foreshadowing: The earlier setting of Jundallah's cross-border activities between Pakistan and Iran establishes the tense relationship between the two countries.

• pakistan
• iran
• capture
• cooperation
• jundallah
• border

Unnamed officers in the film claim Abdolmalek was traveling to meet diplomat Richard Holbrooke near Bishkek when he was captured. This suggests potential international diplomatic contacts, possibly related to negotiations or back-channel communications. The claim ties the personal terrorism case to broader geopolitical interests involving the United States and regional stability.

Foreshadowing: The earlier references to Abdolmalek's international communications and travel hint at his role beyond just local terrorism.

• richard holbrooke
• abdolmalek
• diplomat
• meeting
• bishkek
• usa