I know some of you don't think the short film was dark enough, but I think it was dark maybe not as dark as Michael wanted it but still dark with a twist. Here is what I mean and my interpretation,
This girl who is going to Hollywood struggles to make it. You see her pretty down when she is waittressing and in the scene before she is doing the strip she is serious and glum, meaning she doesn't want to strip but she needs to survive so she does it anyway. If she seems like she is enjoying herself, well she's got to pretend she is, if she acted like she didn't want to be there she wouldn't be making any money. I do think Michael in his lyrics meant to say that they prostitute themselves to get in, but can you imagine a scene with her having sex w/ a stranger? the fans are already outraged by the strip/pole dance scene, I think it would be total chaos if they would have done a sex scene. So they did go lighter on that part , but it still follows what Michael was trying to say.
This is one twist that I thought was a nice touch in honoring Michael. When she struggles she thinks of Michael (the scene when she is walking and the billboards of Michael come to live is when she is thinking about him and starts smiling because she feels his passion and his courage and tells her not to give up on her dreams (this is just my interpretation).
Tthen she makes it and becomes famous with the paparazzi following her around, and so she is upset about it (maybe thinking this is not what fame what supposed to be) again, this is also the dark side of Hollywood and what Michael was trying to convey in his song.
The second twist is she again (once she becomes famous) goes to Michael for inspiration and support (the scene where she is caressing his star in the walk of fame) and after that you see her with a smile and a spring on her step. Clearly, imo, Michael tells her to have courage like he did and keep going. And at the very end she pays tribute to his idol and mentor for everything he's done for her throughout her life.
This is my interpretation as I see it. I love the whole concept and Michael Ithink is there all over in spirit for her during her rise and while famous. It may not be as dark as the song is conveying, but it is still dark with elements of hope, meaning Michael in it.
Since Michael is not here that may have been the twist for this concept. I thought it was a nice touch and a nice way to honor him. After all, Michael does give hope and inspiration to all his fans every day.
If Michael was here I believe he would have done a storyline with similar elements but w/o him inserted in the story, and yes very dark, but who knows.