Most delightful family affair since 'ET': Steven Spielberg on directing 'West Side Story'

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg says working on aptation of "West Side Story" was a "delightful family affair" and as enjoyable as making of his beloved 1982 sci-fi children's classic "E.T. Extra-Terrestrial".

An aptation of famed 1957 Broway musical of same title, movie has premiered to praise for Spielberg's nuanced take on period story and its depiction of love story between Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort's Maria and Tony, whose ill-fated romance fans bitter rivalry between local New York street gangs Sharks and Jets.

remake has been written by Tony Kushner (Angels in America) and marks Spielberg's first feature-length musical.

Recalling experience of working on film, 74-year-old director said though he h "three left feet", he would jump out of his chair during rehearsals.

"I did jump out of my chair and I did singing and danced for cast, singing off-key and dancing like I h three left feet during rehearsals," Spielberg said during a global press conference, also attended by PTI.

"We did four-and-a-half months of intensive rehearsals, both in city at Lincoln Center and in Brooklyn in a place called Dumbo re and that's when I was really able to jump out of my seat. Rita (Moreno) was re too and was dancing with cast. We were so influenced or compelled to get up on our feet. It was such a life in air, song and dance," director recalled.

Spielberg said while rehearsals saw everyone dancing and singing, during filmmaking process, he was just attentive to actors.

"And I didn't even tap my foot. I was just too focused on monitor, on what we were getting... what images we were capturing. But this was most delightful family affair I've h since 'E.T.'. 'E.T.' h felt like I was a d to all those kids. And certainly, I was not a d in my real life... my first child was born three years after I directed 'E.T.

"And this was next time I h that kind of feeling that I was part of a very diverse family. I was not in center of family, I was simply a part of family, director said.

Spielberg h in past said that he h thoroughly enjoyed making his 1982 science fiction E.T. Extra-Terrestrial, popularly known as E.T, about bond between a group of children and an extraterrestrial.

"West Side Story" is a beloved classic both as a Broway production and a 1961 film aptation. 1961 film won ten Acemy Awards, including best picture. Rita Moreno, who is also in new film, became first Latin actress to win an Oscar for her role as Anita.

new musical is a childhood dream come true for Spielberg, who has directed some of most successful and iconic films in his career be it "Jaws", "Indiana Jones", "Jurassic Park", " "Schindler's List",  "Saving Private Ryan" and "Lincoln".

Talking about recreating and capturing vision of New York City from 70 years ago for newer version, Spielberg said team stayed auntic even in terms of look of film.

He said one can find city of New York of 1950s alive and well in certain parts, which is where team also shot for movie.

" only or thing we did was we took out air conditioning units, took out satellite dishes and took out safety bars on windows. Because today, New York has safety bars above second floor and we h to remove some of those. Everything else is auntic to period because New York still is in character with that period.

For his film, Spielberg said he has consciously me an attempt to make his actors talk in Spanish without giving subtitles.

whole story starts with (when) Lieutenant Schrank, clearly a racist, says don't use Spanish. That language h to exist in equal proportions alongside English, he said.

Tony Kushner, who has written story, said use of Spanish language was nothing but an important part of narrative.

It felt like re were certain subjects and feelings involved with subjects where it would be very natural for somebody who's born speaking Spanish to go into Spanish and not to say it in English."

Spielberg said he would want Spanish and English-speaking to sit in atre toger and enjoy movie.

director also fondly remembered late songwriter Stephen Sondheim, regarded as someone who reshaped American musical atre in second half of 20th century. 

Sondheim, who h been associated with Spielberg's version of West Side Story, died last week at age of 91.

Recalling his first meeting with legend, director said he met him during premiere of his film "Sweeney Todd" aptation with Johnny Depp and later y both bumped into each or at White House when two received presidential medal of freedom.

director also shared that  Sondheim was first person he met when he sought rights to make his version of West Side Story .

Speaking of Sondheim's association with film, director ded, He was very involved, he h ideas and Tony h an open dialogue with him during process of going from one draft to next. He did all pre-recorded with all vocal artists. He was re sitting right next to me at recording studio.

cast of West Side Story also includes Ariana DeBose as Anita, David Alvarez as Bernardo and Mike Faist as Riff. Rita Moreno appears in remake in a new role and served as an executive producer.

film will debut in Indian atres on December 10.