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The next tape shows Fakhran as a guest on Block's show in an episode that ran a few weeks ago. Lobkowicz says they ran the show sort of as a prelude to editing "The Story of V" for inclusion in Block's "Encyclopedia of Sex and Fetishes," a video compendium of everything erotic under the sun. According to Lobkowicz, "The Story of V" represents the fantasy many men have of wanting to be a lesbian. Lobkowicz also plans to show some clips of the raw footage on Block's Web site.

During his appearance on Block's TV show, Fakhran is sandwiched between Block and the blond bombshell from the video. Block is wearing a large white hat, black bra and matching panties. Fakhran is dressed in jeans and, ironically, a white Planet Hollywood sweatshirt. While playing with Block's pet snake, they discuss Fakhran's desire to be an actor, his virginity and the members of the famous family he claims as his own.

"I loved your last movie," Block jokes. She then asks him about his "Uncle Steven."

"He's on vacation right now," says Fakhran.

"Why don't you say hello to him?" prompts Block.

"Hello Steven," Fakhran says, waving to the camera.

Fakhran then brags a bit about his credits, which he says include some modeling and extra work playing a female model in Robert Altman's 1994 film "Ready to Wear."

Lobkowicz says he and his wife have stayed in touch with Fakhran, and that the young man calls them every six months or so. He never mentioned going to the Catholic prep school but did tell them he was striving to make his family happy by going to college, with the goal of becoming a doctor. Lobkowicz says they have a number for Fakhran, and that they tried calling him when they read of his recent legal troubles. There was no answer.

However, Fakhran did leave behind a black-and-white 8-by-5 glossy head shot with the name "Jonathan Taylor Spielberg" printed underneath. Lobkowicz also kept other photos Fakhran left behind, snapshots of himself and his well-heeled, attractive mom. And there's a card inscribed "With love to mom and dad," which seems to have accompanied some flowers he gave them. (Lobkowicz says Fakhran often affectionately referred to him and Block as "Mom and Dad.")

"When we met him and his mother at the hotel, he said they were staying there because they were remodeling their condominium," says Lobkowicz. "He was preparing to go off to be a doctor. But he also wanted to be an actor. That's always what he talked about. After a couple of months he left. He said his family wanted him to be an M.D."

Lobkowicz describes Fakhran as a "collector of experiences" and suggests that he may have been "practicing" for a future career as a con man or an actor. The line between the two is often rather thin.

"I think he wanted to see if he could pull it off in real life," says Lobkowicz. "A lot of actors do that kind of thing. It's not that unusual. In any case, I can't see this man doing anything really bad."

Lobkowicz also believes there's more to this story than meets the eye and wonders why Fakhran is being harassed by the police in Virginia. After all, no one has yet suggested that Fakhran swindled anyone out of cash.

"Money was the least of his problems," says Lobkowicz. "He and his family had a lot of money, and he was always dressed well. He never talked about money. It was like, 'I'm a Spielberg, don't worry about it.'"

But according to a recent Washington Post story, Fairfax City police detectives testified in court that Fakhran admitted to them that he has no relative named Spielberg and that his father was in jail in Iran.

"Whatever he is, he did a wonderful piece," says Lobkowicz. "It's one of the best things in my video library, and I've got tons of stuff. I don't care who he is. He's a great filmmaker."
salon.com | Feb. 16, 2000

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