0104 // Soon I Will Be Gone // Part 1

In “The Terminal,” Tom Hanks spends nine months stranded at JFK Airport in New York. The story is based on the life of Sir Alfred Mehran, an Iranian refugee who was stranded at Charles de Gaulle in Paris. Unlike Hanks’ character, Sir Alfred didn’t spend nine months living in an airport terminal. Sir Alfred lived at Charles de Gaulle for eighteen years, from 1988 until 2006. To find out why, we’ll have to dive into the deepest rabbithole we’ve ventured down yet (by far). FURTHER READING Short documentary - “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngNP8ZNutNY (Sir Alfred of Charles de Gaulle)” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efrGE7HQcK0 (Interview with Sir Alfred), AP “https://vimeo.com/84123555 (Here to Where),” feature mockumentary starring Sir Alfred “https://www.amazon.com/Terminal-Man-Alfred-Merhan/dp/0552152749 (The Terminal Man),” the most comprehensive source (by far) on Sir Alfred’s story, much of it firsthand, and the only book written about him as far as I know. It’s hard to find. I had to buy my battered, dogeared copy for $57 on Ebay. “https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/sep/06/features.features11 (The Man Who Lost His Past)” - Paul Berczeller, The Guardian (written by the filmmaker behind “Here to Where,” which is linked above) “https://www.gq.com/story/merhan-nasseri-charles-de-gaulle-stuck (The 15-Year Layover)” - Michael Paterniti, GQ Support this podcast