A young Egyptian-American woman raised and living in southern California is severely abused by her father, an inflexibly patriarchal Muslim immigrant. Caught between two cultures, he is decidedly Old World, bound by tradition, honor and customs that date back for generations, while she very much personifies contemporary times, with a job out of the home, schooling and an active social life. Though living under one roof, as many immigrant families do, the contrast in their lives, beliefs and philosophies certainly could not be at greater odds. In some homes, there is no such thing as personal freedom.