When it comes to John Carpenter's iconic franchise, Halloween, most people may be familiar, in the abstract, with the name Moustapha Akkad as his name is the first to appear in the opening credits for every movie. What fans of the series may not be familiar with is how integral Moustapha was to bringing the story of Michael Myers to life, producing all 8 original movies, even after John Carpenter, himself, left the series.
To celebrate Halloween, Brian Santana joins me to talk about the life of Moustapha Akkad, the man born to a customs officer in Syria, who came to Hollywood to bring the story of Islam to life on the big screen. From his movie, The Message, to becoming the silent force behind one of the horror genre's greatest franchises, Moustapha Akkad's life was rich with creativity until his violent death at the hands of suicide bombers in Amman, Jordan. This is the story of his life and his enduring legacy, honoring the man who was so pivotal in making Michael Myers and the season what it is today.
Get A Murder On Campus: The Professor, The Cop, and North Carolina's Most Notorious Cold Case here
Check out Chapter 91 with Brian and Cameron Santana here
Check out Chapter 105: Summer's Almost Gone with Brian Santana and J.T. Townsend here
Check out Chapter 114: The Devil in the Details-The Unsolved Death of Jeannette DePalma w/ Brian Santana here
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Akkad, Moustapha (1930–2005) | Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.). https://www.encyclopedia.com/international/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/akkad-moustapha-1930-2005Al-Atraqchi, F. (2007, September 2). Halloween producer’s epic plan. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2007/9/2/halloween-producers-epic-planBrayson, J. (2018, October 18). Who is Moustapha Akkad? ‘Halloween’ is dedicated to someone who shaped the franchise. Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/p/who-is-moustapha-akkad-halloween-is-dedicated-to-someone-who-shaped-the-franchise-12576403CNN.com - Jordan confirms al Qaeda behind hotel blasts - Nov 12, 2005. (n.d.). https://web.archive.org/web/20080527142122/http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/11/12/jordan.blasts/index.htmlCole, J. (2005, November 15). Strange death of Moustapha Akkad. Informed Comment. https://www.juancole.com/2005/11/strange-death-of-moustapha-akkad.htmlDossey, E. (2018, November 6). No Sleep October: The Halloween Franchise - Midwest Film Journal. Midwest Film Journal. https://midwestfilmjournal.com/2018/10/31/no-sleep-october-the-halloween-franchise/Film Comment. (2017, January 19). Keeping the faith. https://www.filmcomment.com/article/moustapha-akkad/Hollywood producer, daughter died in bombing. (2005, November 11). NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna10002363Mattar, S. (2005, November 5). “Halloween” Producer Akkad Dies in Jordan. Backstage. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/halloween-producer-akkad-dies-jordan-38743/Moustapha Akkad - Arab America. (2015, June 2). Arab America. https://www.arabamerica.com/arabamericans/moustapha-akkad/Nov 12, 2005, page 42 - The Pantagraph at Newspapers.com. (n.d.). Newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/75766674/?match=1&terms=moustapha%20akkadO’Scannlain, D. F. (2015). BOYER v. CHAPPELL. In United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2015/07/16/13-99006.pdfPeople v. Boyer - S029476 - Thu, 05/11/2006 | California Supreme Court Resources. (n.d.). https://scocal.stanford.edu/opinion/people-v-boyer-33625People v. Boyer (1989). (n.d.). Justia Law. https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/3d/48/247.htmlSpinner, J. (2005, November 15). Motive Glimpsed in Jordan Attack. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/14/AR2005111400230.htmlTCF Staff. (2005, November 9). Deadly Bombings Hit Jordan. The Street. https://www.thestreet.com/personal-finance/deadly-bombings-hit-jordan-10252100The Associated Press. (2005a, November 12). Moustapha Akkad, 75, producer of “Halloween” films. Asbury Park Press, A13.The Associated Press. (2005b, November 12). Moustapha Akkad, 75, Who Produced Religious and Horror Films, Is Dead. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/12/obituaries/moustapha-akkad-75-who-produced-religious-and-horror-films-is.htmlThompson, S. (2020, October 18). Inside the legacy of the Multimillion-Dollar ‘Halloween’ franchise as the original returns to theaters. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2020/10/18/inside-the-legacy-of-the-multimillion-dollar-halloween-franchise-as-the-original-returns-to-theaters/Tüfekçi̇, A. (2020, November 25). Understanding Moustapha Akkad through ‘The Message’ he left. Daily Sabah. https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/cinema/understanding-moustapha-akkad-through-the-message-he-leftTwair, S. (2009, August 31). Moustapha Akkad (1933-2005). Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. https://www.wrmea.org/2006-january-february/moustapha-akkad-1933-2005.htmlVoa. (2009, October 30). Arab-American filmmaker Mustafa Al Akkad Killed in Jordan Terrorist Attack. Voice of America. https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2005-11-18-voa23/391281.html
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