Bella Ramsey & Neil Patrick Harris on “Sunny Dancer” & Avoiding Politics at Berlin Film Festival

Berlin, Germany – The 76th Berlin International Film Festival is proving to be a politically charged event, but not always in the ways organizers might expect. As high-profile actors and filmmakers gather to present their work, a noticeable trend has emerged: a reluctance to engage with questions about the increasingly complex political landscape, both domestically and internationally.

This dynamic played out prominently at Friday’s press conference for George Jaques’ Generation title, Sunny Dancer. The film, starring Bella Ramsey, Neil Patrick Harris, Jessica Gunning, and James Norton, centers on a group of teenagers navigating friendship and self-discovery at a summer camp for young cancer survivors. While the film itself appears to offer a hopeful and optimistic narrative, the cast and crew found themselves fielding questions that extended far beyond the scope of the story.

Ramsey, who rose to prominence in Game of Thrones and more recently in The Last of Us, was initially prompted to discuss their recent comments to The Hollywood Reporter regarding a deliberate shift towards British independent film. Ramsey described their experience filming Sunny Dancer in Scotland as “the best, joyous six weeks” of their career, emphasizing the collaborative spirit fostered by a lower-budget production. “Everybody so wanted to be there,” Ramsey explained, “and that’s what’s so special about the budget independent film… Best experience I’ve had in my career so far, it’s a big statement, but honestly it was probably the best professional six weeks of my fricking life.”

However, the conversation quickly pivoted to broader political concerns. Journalists pressed Ramsey and Harris on whether they considered their art to be inherently political, and if so, how cinema could potentially combat the rise of fascism in Europe and America. Harris responded by suggesting that, in a world increasingly defined by algorithms and division, a focus on apolitical connection might be the most valuable contribution artists can make.

“I think we live in a strangely algorithmic and divided world right now, and so as artists, I’m always interested in doing things that are apolitical,” Harris stated. “Because we’re all, as humans, wanting to connect in some way. That’s why we experience things together. And so when you get to go to a film where you’re caring about the people, you’re caring about the heart of what’s happening, you’re watching this film of these young adults growing up under the umbrella of a world where some of them won’t, and I think that is so touching and also kind of exciting and rebellious and horny, and then it’s fun to be able to witness that without having to process it through a contemporary lens. Right?”

Jaques echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the power of optimism as a form of rebellion. “Sometimes the most rebellious thing you can do is be optimistic,” the director said. “And we wanted to make a film about joy. There’s so much going on in the world right now, and I wanted to make something that really takes you somewhere else… Yes, it’s a cancer movie. Yes, all of that happens. But actually, it’s about this young girl who starts falling in love with the world again.”

The questioning didn’t end there. One journalist challenged the cast and crew, suggesting it was “embarrassing” to claim the film was apolitical given their access to healthcare that enabled them to fight cancer. Harris was subsequently asked directly whether he dared to criticize his own government and if he believed American democracy was in danger.

“Wow,” Harris began, carefully navigating the question. “While I have my own political opinions, I think as a performer, especially in this kind of movie, [I’m] trying to be as inclusive [as possible.] I never read this script as a political statement. It was much more about a human growing up and having realizations about themselves, singularly and [about] friendship.”

The festival’s political undercurrents extend beyond Sunny Dancer. Recent events, including protests in the U.S., the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and Germany’s internal struggles with the far-right AfD party, have created a highly charged atmosphere. A live press conference feed was reportedly cut off when a journalist attempted to ask a question related to Palestine, a move the festival denied was censorship. Arundhati Roy, a prominent author, also cancelled her appearance as a jury member, citing concerns over the jury’s perceived reluctance to engage with political issues.

Adding to the buzz surrounding Sunny Dancer, musician Este Haim, who composed the film’s score alongside Zachary Dawes, expressed her eagerness to collaborate with Paul Thomas Anderson again. She also offered praise for her sister’s performance in the Oscar-nominated film, One Battle After Another, stating, “If Johnny Greenwood happens to want to retire, I will be right there for Paul whenever he would like, and yeah, my sister was amazing in One Battle After Another and I’m so proud of her. I’m so proud of both my sisters. I’m so excited to see what Alana does in the future.”

As the Berlin Film Festival continues, it remains to be seen whether filmmakers and actors will continue to deflect political inquiries or embrace the opportunity to use their platform to address pressing global issues. For now, Sunny Dancer stands as a microcosm of the larger debate – a film aiming for joy and connection in a world demanding answers to increasingly difficult questions.