A Portadown schoolboy has starred in Disney’s new Christmas short film, The Boy and the Octopus, which has reached millions of views online.
Solomon Horta (9), who is a pupil at Millington Primary School, was chosen from a long list of children to work alongside film director Taika Waititi, who has directed popular films such as Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Ragnarok.
Solomon is also a pupil at the Shelley Lowry performing arts school in Portadown.
The short film, which follows a young boy who discovers an octopus attached to his head after a holiday to the beach, has racked up over three-and-a-half million views since it was published on Disney’s YouTube channel this week.
The four-minute short was filmed in Majorca and Prague earlier this year. It supports long-term charity partner, Make-A-Wish International, across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
According to Disney: “After returning home, the boy forms a true friendship with the sea creature by introducing his new companion to his life on land — harnessing the power of the Force with his Jedi lightsaber, playing with his Buzz Lightyear action figure, and imagining Santa Claus’ route around the world with the map on his wall — before taking the lovable octopus out into the world to experience the joy of the holidays, hidden under his Mickey Mouse beanie.”
The short was created in conjunction with global creative agency adam&eveDDB and produced by Hungry Man. A melodic rendition of “Part of Your World” from the Disney classic The Little Mermaid can be heard throughout the short, highlighting the octopus’ desire to explore the world above.
This beautiful take on the fan-favourite song was recorded live by a 60-piece orchestra and mixed in the legendary recording studio Abbey Road.
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