Merhan Karimi Nasseri
Encyclopedia
Mehran Karimi Nasseri also known as Sir, Alfred Mehran (including the comma), is an Iran
ian refugee
who lived in the departure lounge of Terminal One in Charles de Gaulle Airport
from 8 August 1988 until July 2006, when he was hospitalized for an unspecified ailment. His autobiography has been published as a book and he may have been the basis for the movie The Terminal
.
settlement located in Masjed Soleiman, Iran. His father was an Iranian physician working for the company. Nasseri stated that his mother was a nurse from Scotland
working in the same place. He arrived in the United Kingdom
in September 1973, to take a three-year course in Yugoslav
studies at the University of Bradford
.
and after a long battle, involving applications in several countries, was awarded refugee status by the United Nations High Commission for refugees in Belgium
. This permitted residence in any European country.
Having claimed to have one British parent, although he has produced no evidence to support this, he decided to settle in the UK in 1986, but en route to there in 1988, his briefcase containing his papers was stolen in Paris. Despite this setback, he boarded the plane for London but was promptly returned to France when he failed to present a passport to British immigration. He was initially arrested by the French, but then released as his entry to the airport was legal and he had no country of origin to be returned to; thus began his residency at Terminal 1.
His case was later taken on by French human rights lawyer Christian Bourget. In 1992, French courts ruled that, having entered the country legally, he could not be expelled from the airport, but it could not grant him permission to enter France.
Attempts were then made to have new documents issued from Belgium, but the authorities there would only do so if Naserri presented himself in person. However, under Belgian law a refugee who voluntarily leaves a country that has accepted him cannot return. In 1995, the Belgian authorities granted permission for him to return, but only if he agreed to live there under supervision of a social worker. Naserri refused this on the grounds of wanting to enter the UK as originally intended.
Nasseri's life at the airport ended in July 2006 when he was hospitalized and his sitting place dismantled. Towards the end of January 2007, he left the hospital and was looked after by the airport's branch of the French Red Cross; he was lodged for a few weeks in a hotel close to the airport. On March 6, 2007, he transferred to an Emmaus
charity reception centre in Paris
's twentieth arrondissement. As of 2008, he continues to live in a Paris shelter.
, Nasseri had his luggage at his side, and spent his time reading, writing in his diary, or studying economics. He received food and newspapers from employees of the airport. Contrary to what many believe, he has never been stuck in the transit area and was therefore free to move.
French film, starring Jean Rochefort
, internationally released under the title Lost in Transit. The short story
, "The Fifteen-Year Layover," written by Michael Paterniti and published in GQ and The Best American Non-Required Reading, chronicles Nasseri's life. Alexis Kouros
made a documentary about him, Waiting for Godot at De Gaulle in 2000. Glen Luchford
and Paul Berczeller made the Here to Where mockumentary
in 2001, also featuring Nasseri. Hamid Rahmanian and Melissa Hibbard made a documentary called Sir Alfred of Charles De Gaulle Airport in 2001.
Nasseri was reportedly the inspiration behind the character Viktor Navorski, from the 2004 movie
The Terminal
; however, neither publicity materials, nor the DVD
"special features" nor the film's website mentions Nasseri's plight as an inspiration for the film. Despite this, in September 2003, The New York Times
noted that Steven Spielberg
bought the rights to his life story as the basis for The Terminal. The Guardian
indicates that Spielberg's Dreamworks
production company paid $250,000 to Nasseri for rights to his story and report that as of 2004 he carried a poster advertising Spielberg's film draping his suitcase
next to his bench. Nasseri was reportedly excited about The Terminal, but it was unlikely that he would ever have a chance to see it.
In 2004, the book The Terminal Man was published in several countries including the UK and Germany. The Terminal Man was a full length autobiography co-written by Nasseri and British author, Andrew Donkin. The book was reviewed in the UK Sunday Times as being "profoundly disturbing and brilliant."
Nasseri's story was also the inspiration for the award winning contemporary opera Flight
by British composer Jonathan Dove
.
, July 26, 2004,
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
who lived in the departure lounge of Terminal One in Charles de Gaulle Airport
Charles de Gaulle International Airport
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport , also known as Roissy Airport , in the Paris area, is one of the world's principal aviation centres, as well as France's largest airport. It is named after Charles de Gaulle , leader of the Free French Forces and founder of the French Fifth Republic...
from 8 August 1988 until July 2006, when he was hospitalized for an unspecified ailment. His autobiography has been published as a book and he may have been the basis for the movie The Terminal
The Terminal
The Terminal is a 2004 American comedy-drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones. It is about a man trapped in a terminal at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport when he is denied entry into the United States and at the same time cannot...
.
Early life
Nasseri was born in the Anglo-Persian Oil CompanyAnglo-Persian Oil Company
The Anglo-Persian Oil Company was founded in 1908 following the discovery of a large oil field in Masjed Soleiman, Iran. It was the first company to extract petroleum from the Middle East...
settlement located in Masjed Soleiman, Iran. His father was an Iranian physician working for the company. Nasseri stated that his mother was a nurse from Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
working in the same place. He arrived in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in September 1973, to take a three-year course in Yugoslav
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
studies at the University of Bradford
University of Bradford
The University of Bradford is a British university located in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The University received its Royal Charter in 1966, making it the 40th University to be created in Britain, but its origins date back to the early 1800s...
.
Current position
Nasseri was expelled from Iran in 1977 for protests against the ShahMohammad Reza Pahlavi
Mohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, Shah of Persia , ruled Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow by the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979...
and after a long battle, involving applications in several countries, was awarded refugee status by the United Nations High Commission for refugees in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. This permitted residence in any European country.
Having claimed to have one British parent, although he has produced no evidence to support this, he decided to settle in the UK in 1986, but en route to there in 1988, his briefcase containing his papers was stolen in Paris. Despite this setback, he boarded the plane for London but was promptly returned to France when he failed to present a passport to British immigration. He was initially arrested by the French, but then released as his entry to the airport was legal and he had no country of origin to be returned to; thus began his residency at Terminal 1.
His case was later taken on by French human rights lawyer Christian Bourget. In 1992, French courts ruled that, having entered the country legally, he could not be expelled from the airport, but it could not grant him permission to enter France.
Attempts were then made to have new documents issued from Belgium, but the authorities there would only do so if Naserri presented himself in person. However, under Belgian law a refugee who voluntarily leaves a country that has accepted him cannot return. In 1995, the Belgian authorities granted permission for him to return, but only if he agreed to live there under supervision of a social worker. Naserri refused this on the grounds of wanting to enter the UK as originally intended.
Nasseri's life at the airport ended in July 2006 when he was hospitalized and his sitting place dismantled. Towards the end of January 2007, he left the hospital and was looked after by the airport's branch of the French Red Cross; he was lodged for a few weeks in a hotel close to the airport. On March 6, 2007, he transferred to an Emmaus
Emmaus (charity)
Emmaus is an international charitable movement founded in France in 1949 by the priest Abbé Pierre to combat poverty and homelessness.Since 1971 regional and national initiatives have been grouped under a parent organisation, Emmaus International, now run by Jean Rousseau, representing 310 groups...
charity reception centre in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
's twentieth arrondissement. As of 2008, he continues to live in a Paris shelter.
Life in Terminal 1
During his 17-year long stay at Terminal 1 in the Charles de Gaulle AirportCharles de Gaulle International Airport
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport , also known as Roissy Airport , in the Paris area, is one of the world's principal aviation centres, as well as France's largest airport. It is named after Charles de Gaulle , leader of the Free French Forces and founder of the French Fifth Republic...
, Nasseri had his luggage at his side, and spent his time reading, writing in his diary, or studying economics. He received food and newspapers from employees of the airport. Contrary to what many believe, he has never been stuck in the transit area and was therefore free to move.
Documentaries and fictionalizations
Nasseri's story provided the inspiration for the 1994 Tombés du cielTombés du ciel
Tombés du ciel is a 1994 French film directed by Philippe Lioret. Tombés du ciel won the Grand Prize at the 6th Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival held in February 1995.-Cast and roles:...
French film, starring Jean Rochefort
Jean Rochefort
Jean Rochefort is a French actor, with a career that has spanned over five decades.Rochefort was born in Paris, France. He was educated at the Lycée Pierre Corneille in Rouen He was 19 years old when he entered the Centre d'Art Dramatique de la rue Blanche. Later he joined the Conservatoire National...
, internationally released under the title Lost in Transit. The short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
, "The Fifteen-Year Layover," written by Michael Paterniti and published in GQ and The Best American Non-Required Reading, chronicles Nasseri's life. Alexis Kouros
Alexis Kouros
Alexis Kouros is a Iranian-Finnish writer, documentary-maker, director and producer.His first book, Gondwana's Children, won the Finlandia Junior award in 1997...
made a documentary about him, Waiting for Godot at De Gaulle in 2000. Glen Luchford
Glen Luchford
Glen Luchford is a British fashion photographer and film director.Luchford first signed with the New York Agency, Art and Commerce, at the age of 24. In 1997, he signed exclusively to Prada, and has since shot advertising campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, Levi's, Mercedes-Benz and Calvin Klein...
and Paul Berczeller made the Here to Where mockumentary
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
in 2001, also featuring Nasseri. Hamid Rahmanian and Melissa Hibbard made a documentary called Sir Alfred of Charles De Gaulle Airport in 2001.
Nasseri was reportedly the inspiration behind the character Viktor Navorski, from the 2004 movie
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
The Terminal
The Terminal
The Terminal is a 2004 American comedy-drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones. It is about a man trapped in a terminal at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport when he is denied entry into the United States and at the same time cannot...
; however, neither publicity materials, nor the DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
"special features" nor the film's website mentions Nasseri's plight as an inspiration for the film. Despite this, in September 2003, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
noted that Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
bought the rights to his life story as the basis for The Terminal. The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
indicates that Spielberg's Dreamworks
DreamWorks
DreamWorks Pictures, also known as DreamWorks, LLC, DreamWorks SKG, DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC, DreamWorks Studios or DW Studios, LLC, is an American film studio which develops, produces, and distributes films, video games and television programming...
production company paid $250,000 to Nasseri for rights to his story and report that as of 2004 he carried a poster advertising Spielberg's film draping his suitcase
Suitcase
A suitcase is a general term for a distinguishable form of luggage. It is often a somewhat flat, rectangular-shaped bag with rounded/square corners, either metal, hard plastic or made of cloth, vinyl or leather that more or less keeps its shape. It has a carrying handle on one side and is used...
next to his bench. Nasseri was reportedly excited about The Terminal, but it was unlikely that he would ever have a chance to see it.
In 2004, the book The Terminal Man was published in several countries including the UK and Germany. The Terminal Man was a full length autobiography co-written by Nasseri and British author, Andrew Donkin. The book was reviewed in the UK Sunday Times as being "profoundly disturbing and brilliant."
Nasseri's story was also the inspiration for the award winning contemporary opera Flight
Flight (opera)
Flight is an English opera in three acts, with music by Jonathan Dove and libretto by April De Angelis. The work was commissioned by Glyndebourne Opera and premiered on 24 September 1998 by Glyndebourne Touring Opera...
by British composer Jonathan Dove
Jonathan Dove
Jonathan Dove is a British composer of opera, choral works, plays, films, and orchestral and chamber music. He has arranged a number of operas for English Touring Opera and the City of Birmingham Touring Opera , including in 1990 a famous 18-player two-evening adaptation of Wagner's Der Ring des...
.
External links
- "Has a guy been stuck in the Paris airport since 1988 for lack of the right papers?" - The Straight Dope, 20 August 1999
, July 26, 2004,