To Be Born tells the story of a village woman, Fatemah, who grew from impatient child to prolific doll maker. A restless child, Fatemah's mother made a cloth doll to sooth her daughter, and it worked. Sadly, her mother died shortly making the doll, and Fatemah began to believe her mother's soul resided in the figue, which became an emotional stand-in.

As Fatemeh grew up, she began making dolls to ease various losses and pains, for herself and for others in the village, believing they help solve problems. In telling the stories of some of her dolls, the film also renders a portrait of Fatimah, and of village life in general. From personal dramas like infertility to extreme drought, Fatimah has a doll for everything.