An Irishman’s Hostage Story
The film opens with Phelan’s abrupt capture outside the holy Imam Reza mosque, thrusting viewers into his nightmarish experience inside the notorious “Satan’s Block” of Mashhad prison. Through dramatic first-hand accounts and realistic reconstructions, this documentary portrays Phelan’s struggle for survival, his relentless defiance against his captors, and the critical diplomatic efforts that ultimately secured his release on humanitarian grounds in May 2023.
With exclusive interviews with Laura Marlowe, the Paris-based Irish journalist, renowned French author Florence Aubenas, herself a former hostage in Iraq, and Lara Symons, CEO of the charity Hostage International, this important film highlights both Phelan’s extraordinary perseverance and resilience, and the tireless advocacy of the French and Irish governments in seeking his release on humanitarian grounds, painting a powerful portrait of courage against the odds.
