Web Desk (June 12, 2018): “The Message”, Syrian-American director Moustafa Akkad´s epic film about Prophet Mohammed, will be screened for the first time in Saudi cinemas on Thursday — four decades after an initial ban.
“Knowing that there were so many difficulties… , now that they´re showing it in the theatres I couldn´t be happier,” Akkad´s son told Media.
The 1976 film has been widely-watched in the Arab world since its release.
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But it was banned in the land of Islam´s holiest sites and boycotted by conservatives for its depiction of the prophet and his companions.
“It caused a lot of controversy and there were a lot of obstacles put in its way,” said Akkad´s son, Malik Moustafa Akkad, noting it remains banned in Kuwait.
Saudi Arabia lifted a longstanding ban on cinemas last year, part of an easing of social restrictions pushed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi theatres will now screen a restored version of the 1976 epic, produced from the film´s original negatives.
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