Moustapha Akkad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Moustapha Al Akkad
Born	(1930-07-01)July 1, 1930 Aleppo, French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon (modern day Syria)
Died	November 11, 2005(2005-11-11) (aged 75) Amman, Jordan
Cause of death	2005 Amman bombings
Nationality	Syria United States
Alma mater	University of California at Los Angeles, University of Southern California
Occupation	Film producer, director
Years active	1976–2005
Known for	Producing the series of Halloween films
Spouse(s)	Patricia Al Akkad (divorced), Sooha Ascha Al Akkad
Children	4 (including Malek Akkad)

Moustapha Al Akkad (born July 1, 1930 – died November 11, 2005) was a famous Syrian-American film producer and director. He is best known for creating the original Halloween horror movies. He also directed important films like The Message and Lion of the Desert. Sadly, he and his daughter Rima were killed in the 2005 Amman bombings in Jordan.

Early Life and Education

Moustapha Al Akkad was born on July 1, 1930, in Aleppo, which was then part of the French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon. He finished high school at the Aleppo American College. His father, who worked as a customs officer, gave him $200 and a copy of the Quran.

With this, Akkad traveled to the United States. He wanted to study how to direct and produce movies. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). After that, he spent three more years studying for a Master's degree at the University of Southern California (USC). There, he met the famous director Sam Peckinpah. Peckinpah became a guide for Akkad in Hollywood. He even hired Akkad as a helper for a film that was never made. Peckinpah kept encouraging Akkad until he found a job as a producer at CBS.

Film Career Highlights

Moustapha Al Akkad made many important films during his career. He worked as both a director and a producer. His movies often told powerful stories.

Directing The Message

In 1976, Akkad produced and directed a film called Mohammad, Messenger of God. It was released as The Message in 1977 in the United States. The movie starred famous actors like Anthony Quinn and Irene Papas. Akkad faced challenges making the film in Hollywood. This led him to film it in Morocco instead.

While making The Message, Akkad talked with Islamic religious leaders. He wanted to be very respectful of Islam. He also wanted to show respect for how Islam views showing Muhammad. He received approval from Al-Azhar University in Egypt. However, the Muslim World League in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, did not approve.

Governments in Kuwait, Libya, and Morocco promised to help pay for the film. When the Muslim World League rejected it, Kuwait kept its money support. But they stopped other types of help. King Hassan II of Morocco fully supported the movie's production. Filming took one year. Akkad filmed for six months in Morocco. But he had to stop because the Saudi Government pressured Morocco to stop the movie. Akkad then went to Muammar Gaddafi in Libya for help. Gaddafi allowed him to move filming to Libya. The rest of the movie was finished there in six months.

Producing the Halloween Series

In 1978, Moustapha Al Akkad helped create movie history. He produced the low-budget film Halloween. This movie became very famous. Akkad is best known for his big role in the first eight Halloween films. He was an executive producer for all of them. This means he helped manage the money and business side of the films.

The Halloween series made a lot of money. It also had a huge impact on many horror films that came after it. Akkad's involvement was key to its success.

Directing Lion of the Desert

In 1980, Akkad directed Lion of the Desert. In this film, Anthony Quinn and Irene Papas returned. They were joined by actors like Oliver Reed, Rod Steiger, and John Gielgud. The movie was about a real-life Bedouin leader named Omar Mukhtar. He was played by Anthony Quinn. Mukhtar fought against Benito Mussolini's Italian troops in the deserts of Libya.

Today, the movie is highly praised by critics. But at first, it got some negative attention in the West. This was because Libya's Muammar Gaddafi helped pay for it. He invested $35 million in the movie. This negative attention might have caused it to not do well in movie theaters. Film critic Clint Morris called the movie "A grand epic adventure." He said it would be a high point in Moustapha Akkad's producing career.

Later Projects and Death

At the time of his death, Akkad was working on a large movie project. It was an $80 million film about Saladin and the Crusades. He already had the script for this movie. It was planned to be filmed in Jordan.

Akkad and his 34-year-old daughter, Rima Akkad Monla, were killed in the 2005 Amman bombings. They were in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Amman hotel on November 9, 2005. A bomb exploded there. His daughter died right away. Akkad died from his injuries two days later in a hospital. He is buried in the Al-Jadidah Cemetery in Aleppo, Syria.

Akkad was survived by his former wife, Patricia Al Akkad, and their sons, Taric and Malek. Malek helped produce many of the Halloween movies. Akkad was also survived by his widow, Suha Ascha Akkad, and their son Zade.

Legacy and Tributes

Moustapha Al Akkad was honored by his hometown of Aleppo. The Aleppo City Council renamed a school and a street after him. In 2008, a street in downtown Beirut was also renamed in his memory.

The 2007 remake of Halloween was dedicated to Moustapha Akkad. The 2018 film Halloween, which is a direct follow-up to the 1978 original, also includes a dedication to Akkad in its end credits.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Moustapha Akkad para niños