Moustapha Akkad (Arabic: مصطفى العقاد), born on July 1, 1930, in Aleppo, Syria, is an iconic figure in international cinema, a renowned director and producer of both Syrian and American origin.
Moustapha Akkad's career is marked by a passion for filmmaking that led him, upon arriving in the United States with only $200, to pursue studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, and then at the University of Southern California, where he earned a master's degree in film. His determination and talent attracted the attention of director Sam Peckinpah, who became his mentor and facilitated his professional debut as a producer at CBS, paving the way for a remarkable and socially engaged career.
Akkad quickly distinguished himself through his commitment to fostering dialogue between cultures and telling the stories of major figures in the Arab and Muslim world. In 1976, he directed and produced "The Message (Muhammad, Messenger of God)," starring Anthony Quinn and Irene Papas in the English-language version, an epic recounting the beginnings of Islam and the life of the Prophet Muhammad. This project was particularly audacious, as Hollywood studios refused to finance it, leading Akkad to seek foreign support, notably from Morocco and Libya, to realize his artistic vision. To respect Muslim sensitivities, he consulted numerous scholars to ensure that the film biography of the Prophet Muhammad would serve as a bridge between cultures without offending beliefs. This masterpiece was followed in 1981 by "Lion of the Desert," in which Anthony Quinn portrayed Omar al-Mukhtar, the Libyan Bedouin leader fighting against Mussolini's Italian army in the Libyan desert. Despite an initially mixed reception, partly due to Libyan financing conditions, the film has gained recognition over the years as an important work in the history of cinema, embodying values of emancipation and resistance.
Akkad is also famous for producing the legendary "Halloween" horror film saga. Starting in 1978 with "Halloween," he revolutionized the slasher genre in the United States and left a lasting mark on popular culture with the character of Michael Myers. He produced most of the sequels, for a total of eight films, expanding the legend of the psychopathic killer and cementing his name in the history of genre cinema. His son, Malek Akkad, continues this family tradition by producing the installments released after his death.
Moustapha Akkad's life tragically ended on November 11, 2005, in Amman, two days after he was seriously wounded in the Al-Qaeda suicide bombings at the hotel where he was staying, which also claimed the life of his daughter, Rima Akkad Monla. His work and commitment will remain etched in history, embodying intercultural dialogue, the memory of great figures, and the modernity of a cinema that is both universal and open to the world.
