Film star wish is granted for boy, 10, with brain tumour

A chess-mad schoolboy who suffers from a life-threatening illness has seen his dream come true, by starring as an action hero in his own film.

Samir Samadov, 10, who is being treated with chemotherapy for a brain tumour, said his biggest wish was to star in a blockbuster movie and walk the red carpet.

Now Make-A-Wish Foundation, a children’s charity, has given him the chance to feel like James Bond.

Samir, an award-winning chess player from Maida Vale, attended the premiere yesterday of Check Mate, in which he plays Agent 27.

In the 10-minute film the hero visits landmarks including Downing Street and Imperial College and rides in a speedboat on the Thames.

Samir came up with the idea for the story, which is about an evil villain, Dr Capablanca, who wants to plant a virus in a central computer system in a plot to ruin the Olympics.

The charity got a professional film crew to bring his concept to life and the movie was shown at a special screening at the Richmond Odeon for Samir’s friends and family.

His father Elchin Samadov, a 39-year-old volunteer for a human rights organisation, said his son was thrilled during filming. “Visiting Downing Street, being in a high-speed boat, he asked me: ‘Dad, is this real?’,”

Mr Samadov said. “I can’t express how I felt when I saw Samir on the big screen, he was like James Bond. I’m so proud of him.”

His mother Samira, 33, a biologist, said: “Samir’s filming day was full of surprises and a day that we will never forget. He looked so smart and beautiful. It was a big surprise for him, he’s been smiling all day.”

Samir, who has a two-year-old sister, Zohra, said: “I felt so happy when the foundation told me that they could make my wish come true. I was so glad to meet them, I’ve never had such a brilliant experience in my life… Never in my life did I think I’d walk up my very own red carpet.”

After being diagnosed with a brain tumour in June last year, Samir had surgery the following month, then started radiotherapy in October for six weeks. He is now on a high dose of chemotherapy and will continue this treatment at Great Ormond Street for another year.

He said: “I am feeling brilliant after my radiotherapy and operation, and [this film] has made me feel so much better. I’m feeling like a true superhero.”

In 2010, Samir was runner-up in the British Chess Championships in Canterbury. He is now a member of the under-11 Richmond chess team and has qualified for the under-11 England Team Trial.

Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children and young people with life-threatening conditions. Samir said: “The foundation means a lot to me, they helped me to be in a film, and they also help other children. I’m very thankful to them.”

Joanne Micklewright, head of wishgranting at the charity, said: “Make-A-Wish is delighted to have been able to grant Samir’s wish and it was an absolute pleasure to meet him at his premiere; he really did look and behave like a true star.”