HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG - SHOHREH GRATEFUL FOR SUPPORT AS SHE FLED IRAN

HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG star SHOHREH AGHDASHLOO will always cherish the support of her mother and ex-husband when she first decided to leave her native Iran - because neither tried to stop her. Aghdashloo gave select family members just hours notice before she decided to sell her car and jewellery in 1978 and flee her homeland, and she still can't believe they just let her go. The actress says, "It was too dangerous to let others know - except my mother... When I phoned her at 1am with the news that I was leaving in three hours, instead of getting upset or saying, 'Why didn't you tell me?' she said, 'Go, Shohreh. Do not even look back.' "There was also my husband at the time. When I told him I was leaving, instead of saying, 'Don't you dare. You are my wife. You stay in this country and serve me,' he said, 'Shohreh, I can't live in Europe - I'm an artist. I get inspiration from all the rich colours here.' "He allowed me to take the car and my jewellery and the little cash he had."