![]() ![]() Akkad and his daughter were killed in an al-Qaida attack on luxury hotels in the Jordanian capital, Amman, in 2005. The hostages were eventually released after a 39-hour stand-off.Īccording to Akkad, "the film's American box-office prospects never quite recovered from the unfortunate controversy."Īfter making The Message, Akkad went on to produce the successful Halloween horror franchise and direct Anthony Quinn, Rod Steiger and John Gielgud in the 1980 epic Lion of the Desert, which was again funded by Gadafy. The notorious Hanafi Muslim Siege resulted in the deaths of a police officer and a radio reporter, while council member – and future mayor – Marion Barry was wounded by a shotgun pellet. In March 1977, 12 members of the Black Muslims organisation stormed three buildings in Washington DC, taking 149 people hostage and demanding that the film be destroyed. However, The Message sparked controversy in the US when it was rumoured that Quinn was starring as Muhammad. ![]() The film's depiction of Islam won praise from the High Islamic Congress of the Shia in Lebanon. I thought I should tell the story that will bring this bridge, this gap to the west." "It is a religion that has a 700 million following, yet it's so little known, which surprised me. ![]() "I think there was something personal, being a Muslim myself who lived in the west, I felt that it was my obligation, my duty, to tell the truth about Islam," he said. Speaking at the time, the Syrian-born Akkad claimed that he made The Message because he wanted to explain the teachings of Islam to a western audience. Two versions of the picture were shot – one in Arabic and the other in English. Instead, Akkad opted to signify his presence with light organ music and occasionally framed the film from the prophet's point of view as he observed the actions of his followers. In accordance with Muslim conventions forbidding any visual depiction of the prophet, Muhammad is never seen or heard in the film. "In the 21st century there is a real need for a film that emotionally engages audiences on the journey that led to the birth of Islam," added Ramzi Thomas.ĭirected in 1976 by the late Moustapha Akkad, The Message starred Anthony Quinn as an Arab follower of Muhammad and was funded by the Libyan leader Muammar Gadafy. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |