Elton John was having a bst. He loved ing to es in May. Not only could he watumerous films from all around the world that featured many new and old musiknown to him previously, but the es Film Festival was also a gathering point for the elite. Don't get him wrong, he loved iing with his fans, but sometimes, some fanatic experiences of people be too much. A little escape with like-minded people be a great thing for the middle of the summer.

  So that's how he ended up at the premiere of [Billy Elliot], a British film by an old acquaintance of his, Stephen Daldry. Elton hadn't even known that Stephen was direg a film; it was only luck that David Furnish, the love of his life, dragged Elton to the premiere. Something that Elton was a little miffed about.

  That was until the movie started.

  As soon as Elton watched the first se, he was hooked. The film was set in 1984, in Durham, Engnd, and was about a young boy of 11 who wanted more than anything to bee a dancer. Only, his family with a traditional outlook didn't want that for him; they wanted him to be something like a boxer. Billy was terrible at boxing, but due to pressure from his father, he agreed to box. Billy witnessed a ballet lesson from Mrs. Wilkinson and was instantly enamored with it, joining the lessons soon enough without telling his family about it.

  As the film tinued, Elton couldn't believe for a moment that the kid was the same who did [The Sixth Sense]. His at, his posture, his attitude, everything was totally different from the kid who could see dead people. While Elton wasn't a filmmaker by any standards, being in the industry he had watched innumerable films in his life, and seeing this young boy transform so radically in a matter of less than a year was more than a little shog for him. An ability that mostly older and very dedicated actors have shown till now.

  The tenderness with which he cares for his grandma, the fieress with which he argues with his brother or his daeacher, the longing for the unreachable, be it ballet or his dead mother, the joy he felt when he could finally dance freely—every emotion, every dialogue was extremely poignant and deep.

  As much as the ag was superb, the dance was nothing to scoff at. Elton had to give it to the director for shooting the whole sequence so ematically iake, giving it a theater-like feel. Also, the little boy did amazing dance sequences which seemed effortless. The ag of others, including Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, and Jamie Draven, couldn't be disted here as they all did amazing jobs with the film.

  As the film tinued, Billy was caught in a moral dilemma whether to support his family in their strike or tih his ballet. He chooses the fainst advice from his teacher, only for his father to catch him dang in the gymnasium ter on. Guilty of suppressing his son's future prospects, the father decides to support him in a very emotional se where he breaks the strike for his son.

  Eventually, they give an audition at the Royal Ballet School, but Billy almost blows his ce whes a kid in frustration, feeling judged. So whe a positive letter of acceptance from the Royal Ballet School, Elton wasn't the only one iheater to cp loudly or whoop in joy.

  Troy Armitage, who pyed Billy, made almost everyone iheater cry when he gave the news of his acceptao his family. Bidding farewell to his family was another emotional se well done when his father hugged him tightly and his brother showed some emotion for the first time that wasn't a the news of his brother's departure.

  Fourteen years ter, Billy has bee the lead performer in [Swan Lake]. His father bees emotional as Billy takes the stage and the credit rolls.

  What a marvelous performance! One of the best films Elton had ever see alohis year. Elton couldn't help but feel touched, emotional, and happy all at once. He stood up along with so many other people and began g for such a wondrous film. Stephen Daldry had outdone himself with this film. What a wonder!

  When the appuse died doeople started leavion stayed behind in the back, waiting for the team to be doh the interviews. As soon as they were, Elton made a beeline for Stephen, who was talking to Troy, the lead actor.

  "Stepheon decided to interrupt their versation. "What a wonderful film! I loved it more than words express."

  "Elton!" Stephen grinned after turning to him. "Thank you so much! Have you met Troy Armitage? He gave me my film. I couldn't have made it with this precision without him."

  Elton turo the little boy and offered him a hand, "Who wouldn't reize this young man? A pleasure to meet you, Troy. I must say, it was an amazing performance. And that song you wrote for your friend was better than anything I could write at ye."

  "Thanks, Mr. John," Troy replied politely while shaking his hand. "I 't tell you how much I love your music which served as an inspiration for me. Especially [Rocketman], my favorite song of yours."

  "Oh?" Elton gri that. "I didn't know kids still listen to that old song?"

  "It's a cssic," Troy shot back. "And the [Lion King] songs were just great. I love musicals."

  "Now that one I believe is ing from you," Elton replied before turning again to Stephen Daldry. "That reminds me. Stephen, I want to make this film into a stage musical."

  "Let's talk afterward," Stephen said. "How about ter this evening? I'll be free by then."

  "Sure."

  (Break)

  Hearing Stephen aon John talk about what would turn out to be [Billy Elliot the Musical] was nothing short of a ce. In my past life, I was one of the rarities who had watched [Billy Elliot the Musical] before watg the actual film. I loved the musical so much that I watched the movie only afterward to pare the two versions. Both of them were undoubtedly good on their own, but the thing you watch first is undoubtedly what remains with you for the lo of times.

  If they are making a stage adaptation, then I'd love to reprise my role there. Why should I let anyone else py Billy when I'm the perfect age?

  "I'll fihe whole thing if you prepare everything within a year a me py Billy," I offered unsciously.

  Both of the older men turo me in unison with raised eyebrows before Stephen spoke up, "Are you sure about that, Troy? I don't think you should be too hasty in saying that without your parents' approval."

  Of course, they'd think I'm being a greedy kid at the moment.

  "Alright, I'll let my father hash out the details with you too ter on and about seg the adaptatihts. But I really, really want to a it. If you dey it too much, I'd be too old to py Billy and my voice will crack. That's why I'm saying a year," I gave out my reasoned response.

  "You have a lot of stuff to do here," Elton John waved his hands towards the maers who were waiting for the cast and crew for individual interviews. "Why don't you finish up here and we'll talk ter on?"

  I nodded relutly befoing for more interviews. As soon as I was doh that formality after an hour or so, the first thing I did was make a beeline for Dad, who was thankfully alo the moment, probably waiting for me to be doh it all so we could go back to our hotel.

  "Dad," I said in a serious tone, getting his immediate attention. "I know I had promised you that I wouldn't talk business on this trip, but something has e up that is time-sensitive, so I o."

  Dad sighed audibly, "Go on. I know you 't help yourself sometimes."

  "Please buy the adaptatihts of [Billy Elliot] for a stage musical," I implored.

  "Why so?"

  "Okay, listen to me fully before making a judgment, okay?" At his nod, I tinued, "Elton John just said that he was ied in making a musical out of [Billy Elliot]. Stephen Daldry also seemed quite enthusiastic about it, given his theatrical roots. But I don't want anyone else tihe role of Billy. If you buy the adaptatihts, we do the adaptation before I turn 13, so I py the role of Billy vingly before my voice breaks. You discuss the topic further with both of them. They didn't take my proposition very seriously."

  Dad closed his eyes and thought it out for a few moments before saying, "You know, kids ye ask for things like expeoys, video games, and as they grow up, motorbikes and cars. You have extremely weird demands."

  "It's not a demand," I tered. "It's a request. You always deduct the amount from my [Harry Potter] sary. If I were 18, I wouldn't be ing to you for this. Since I'm not, please help me out."

  Dad rubbed his forehead in ption before saying, "Fine. I'll call my wyer to strike up a versation with the producers. How much maximum are you willing to pay from your sary for the rights?"

  "1 million."

  The surprised look on Dad's face was enough to tell me that that was too much for the rights, so obviously I raised the amount, "Fine, 1.5 million."

  "It's a stage musical," Dad cut me off. "More often than not, they don't earn money. While your involvement may ge things owing to your popurity, the rights shouldn't be more than half a million dolrs in the worst-case sario. At most, they ask for a cut in profits in pce of a lower price upfront."

  "No," I replied resolutely. "Buy all the rights upfront. No profit sharing."

  "You're being greedy," Dad said pointedly. "I'll try. Just don't get too hung up on it if they don't sell the rights or decide to hold on to the rights until the film's release to ask for a higher fee."

  "It's unlikely," I replied. "If the film's a flop, we won't buy the rights at all. If they sell them right now, they easily recood portion of the produ budget already."

  Dad ceded that point with a nod. "Alright, I'll do it. But the produ will be entirely financed by you out of your own money, not just the adaptatiht. Don't pin to me ter on if you lose millions and have nothio your name when you grow up."

  "I won't," I promised sincerely.

  And that was that. I even fot about the issue for the couple of days, spending my time enjoying the sights of es and what few little films Mum allowed me to watch. More often than not, adult-oriented films are featured in es and if I wasn't the lead in [Billy Elliot], I wouldn't be allowed to watch even that. It's unfair, I know, but that's life for you.

  One of the two major films that I was surprisingly allowed to watch was [Dancer in the Dark], by Lars Von Trier starring Bj?rk. The film, because of which we had to ge our title from [Dao [Billy Elliot]. The other was [O Brother, Where Art Thou?] by the Brothers starring Gee ey. Both were very good movies. The former was a star-making vehicle for Bj?rk where she gave a wonderful performance. One of my favorite female performances of the year. The tter was a very good edy film that I was amazed to knoG-13. I didn't know that the Brothers were capable of making a PG-13 film.

  It was at the premiere of [O Brother, Where Art Thou?] that I met a person I had wao for a long time. Even before I was reborn.

  "Steven," Dad made the introdus. "Meet my son Troy. Troy, you already know of Mr. Spielberg. He's serving as the president of the es Jury this year."

  "Whoa," I let out unsciously while he offered me a hand, which I shook. "It's an honor to meet you, sir. I just love your works eoo much."

  "Believe me, son," Spielberg said. "The honor is all mi's always heartwarming to meet up-and-ing actors like you. And no 'sir,' call me Steven."

  "Thank you, Steven," I nodded back with a grin.

  "So if you are the president, did you see my movie [Billy Elliot]?" I know I shouldn't have asked, but as they say, curiosity killed the cat, and my current body had loads of that.

  "I did," Steven said evenly. "It's a good film. Will definitely be a hit with the masses. Critics, I'm not so sure about."

  What the heck is he on about? I knew for sure that critics loved [Billy Elliot] even in my past life. With my involvement and the hype Universal was already creating about my performance, people's expectations would surely rise, but the quality of this film isn't inferior to the one in my past life by any means.

  "e now, Steven," Dad butted in. "Critics have nothing but praises for [Billy Elliot] and Troy's performance. I talked to many of them personally at the premiere; I would know."

  "That's what art is, I guess?" Steven ented with a smile. "Everyoches it with a different tint of lens."

  Did Steven Spielberg not like [Billy Elliot] or my performance? Self-doubt crept up inside me upon hearing the words of highest highest-grossing film director of all time. The rational part of me should have told myself that something was amiss and that a man like Steven Spielberg would be cruel enough to say to a kid's face that the film they did was bad. But I wasn't listening to that rational part. Despite having heard and read innumerable people enting upon the film and my performan the st two days, and most of them were good reviews, I couldn't help but feel ie.

  "Sure, but you could be kinder with your wiven who you're talking to," Dad pio Steven, who just shook his head.

  Seeing that Dad and Steven were disagreeing so openly, I tried to stop the situation before it got any worse. "It's alright, Dad. I'm not a perfect actor. I'm still learning. I'll improve in my film."

  "That's the spirit, young man." Steven smiled. "Keep improving. If you stop, you'll bee pt." He then looked at his wristwatch. "Oh my, it's getting te. I must go back to the jury to discuss tonight's film. All the best for this film and of course [Harry Potter]."

  When Steven had departed, Dad silently pced a hand on my shoulder and squeezed gently.

  I turo face him and asked, "What was that?"

  "That, my dear son, ower py," Dad replied.

  Seeing the fused expression on my face, he shook his head. "We'll talk about it ter in our hotel suite."

  "Alright," I ceded.

  ___________________________________

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