Rupert Grint on the Rise of Fascism: ‘Obviously, I’m Against It’ – Variety

Lead: At the Berlin Film Festival on the weekend, actor Rupert Grint, appearing to promote the Finnish horror film Nightborn, was asked about the reported rise of fascism and far-right politics. Grint, known worldwide for portraying Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise, replied that he opposes fascism but prefers to pick the moments when he speaks. Reporters pressed him about whether he would comment specifically on developments in the U.K., a question that followed other festival moments where stars chose not to respond. Nightborn is set to have its world premiere on Saturday night in Berlin.

Key Takeaways

• Rupert Grint answered political questions at a Berlinale press conference for Nightborn and said, in essence, that he opposes fascism while noting he chooses when to speak publicly.
• Nightborn, directed by Finnish filmmaker Hannah Bergholm, will premiere in Berlin on Saturday; the cast includes Seida Haarla and Rupert Grint, with producer Daniel Kuitunen and composer Eicca Toppinen present.
• The exchange followed a pattern at this Berlinale where several high-profile guests, including Michelle Yeoh and jury president Wim Wenders, declined to address political questions, prompting debate and at least one attendee to leave in protest.
• When asked about his past comments related to author J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans views, Grint acknowledged that the subject remains relevant and signaled he may speak further on related issues.
• Director Hannah Bergholm explained her decision to wear a watermelon pin as a sign of solidarity with Palestine and argued artists have responsibility to speak out against violence and injustice.
• Screenwriter Ilja Rautsi told reporters that art can build empathy and spotlight global wrongs, citing Ukraine and Palestine in his remarks.
• Grint reflected to Variety on the announcement of the HBO Harry Potter cast, saying it took him back to 1999 and that he sent a supportive letter to Alistair Stout, who will play Ron Weasley in the new series.
• Grint stressed the differences confronting today’s young actors, noting social media was not part of his early experience in the franchise and that early fame requires sacrifices.

Background

Film festivals have long been stages not only for premieres but for cultural and political crossfire, and this year’s Berlinale sharpened that tendency. Journalists repeatedly asked visiting stars to comment on contemporary political trends, including the global discourse around far-right movements and specific regional tensions in the U.K. and beyond. The practice has prompted a split reaction: some filmmakers and actors see festivals as platforms to raise awareness, while others prefer to separate their art from political commentary during press duties.

That split was visible this edition of Berlinale, where a series of short exchanges and several refusals to engage became a nucleus of coverage and conversation. The question to Grint referenced his earlier comments about J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans views, illustrating how past interventions by celebrities can prompt follow-up queries on related political matters. Festival organizers, jurors and attendees now navigate a complex environment in which questions about artistic expression, personal responsibility and political advocacy are routinely entangled.

Main Event

At the Nightborn press conference, reporters asked Rupert Grint whether he would publicly oppose the rise of the far-right in the U.K. and elsewhere. Grint responded that he is against fascism and that the issue is ‘hugely relevant’ today, but he emphasized a personal strategy of choosing when to speak. His reply came after a question referencing his past remarks about Rowling, indicating journalists were testing whether he intended to broaden his public stance.

Director Hannah Bergholm drew attention as well when questioned about a watermelon pin she wore, which has been used by some as a symbol of solidarity with Palestine. Bergholm said adults have a duty to speak against violence and injustice and argued that film artists should not be discouraged from voicing concerns. Her comments framed the press exchange as part of a wider debate over whether artists should use festival platforms for political expression.

Screenwriter Ilja Rautsi added that cinema can create empathy and awareness, suggesting that artistic visibility can highlight global crises and generate pressure on policymakers or powerful actors. The conversation briefly turned to specific geopolitical references when Rautsi mentioned Ukraine and what he described as atrocities in Palestine, using his platform to underline the moral dimensions that motivated the film’s makers to speak.

Organizational details of the Nightborn presentation were also noted: the film was shot in Lithuania, it stars Seida Haarla as Saga and Rupert Grint as Jon, and the story follows a couple whose marriage frays after the birth of a son who appears to be deeply disturbed in ways only Saga perceives. The film’s world premiere was scheduled for Saturday night in Berlin with producer Daniel Kuitunen and composer Eicca Toppinen attending.

Analysis & Implications

The exchange at Berlinale reflects a broader tension in contemporary cultural institutions over whether artistic showcases should double as political stages. On one hand, festivals are high-visibility forums where remarks by celebrities can reach global audiences and shape public conversation; on the other, many artists and industry professionals aim to keep press duties focused on craft and promotion. The recurring questions at this Berlinale indicate that journalists see moral urgency in pressing public figures on far-right trends.

For Rupert Grint, a measured reply suggests a balancing act: he acknowledges political concern but signals strategic restraint about when to speak. That stance can protect an actor’s ability to sustain diverse professional relationships while still signaling moral opposition. The practical effect is that some artists will vocalize positions selectively, choosing contexts they deem most effective rather than answering every on-the-spot question.

The festival dynamics also have consequences for how audiences perceive both films and filmmakers. When directors or cast members make political statements, those remarks can become part of a film’s reception and coverage, sometimes overshadowing the work itself. Conversely, conspicuous refusals to engage can draw equal attention and generate criticism that the industry is evading civic responsibility.

Looking ahead, the pattern at Berlinale may influence festival protocols and press training, as publicists and organizers refine guidance on handling political questions. It may also prompt industry conversations about consistent standards for when and how artists should use public stages to address civic crises, balancing free expression with professional concerns.

Comparison & Data

The compact table above summarizes how three notable guests responded to political questions at this Berlinale. The pattern — a mix of declinations and brief statements — is consistent with news coverage that identified festival Q&A sessions as a focal point for debate about the role of artists in public life. While the sample is limited to high-profile moments at this festival, the differences in responses illustrate the range of strategies public figures use when confronted with politicized questions.

Reactions & Quotes

Journalists and attendees reacted quickly, treating the exchanges as emblematic of the festival’s tenor and the wider cultural climate. Some audience members expressed frustration that a few guests declined to engage, while others argued that the primary job at a press conference is to discuss the film itself, not politics.

‘Obviously, I’m against it,’

Rupert Grint, actor, press conference

Grint’s brief quote was delivered as part of a longer reply in which he also stressed selective engagement. Reporters interpreted that answer as both a moral position and a signal that he will choose particular forums to expand on those views.

‘As grown-up human beings, I think we have a responsibility to speak up against violence and injustice,’

Hannah Bergholm, director, press conference

Bergholm used the moment to justify visible symbols of solidarity, saying artists should not be told to remain silent. Her remarks framed the watermelon pin as a conscious, political gesture tied to conscience rather than publicity.

‘Art is all about empathy… it’s maybe good to create some form of pressure, or just to get people aware of whatever is happening in the world,’

Ilja Rautsi, screenwriter, press conference

Rautsi connected the film-makers’ impulse to comment with a broader belief that storytelling can raise awareness about international crises and injustices.

Unconfirmed

• The identity of the attendee who reportedly left the festival in protest has not been publicly confirmed by festival organizers or major outlets.
• Reports indicate Grint suggested he will speak further on related political issues, but the timing, forum and content of any future statements remain unspecified.

Bottom Line

The Nightborn press conference at Berlinale crystallized an ongoing dilemma for celebrities and filmmakers: whether and when to convert high-visibility promotional platforms into stages for political commentary. Rupert Grint expressed opposition to fascism but signaled he prefers selective engagement, a stance that balances moral clarity with tactical restraint. The episode amplified discussion about festival responsibilities, public expectations of artists and the media’s role in framing such exchanges.

As festivals continue to intersect with geopolitics, organizers, artists and journalists will likely refine norms about on-the-spot political questioning and responses. For audiences, the key takeaway is that statements — and silences — at events like Berlinale shape how films are received and how cultural industries position themselves amid pressing global issues.

Sources

• Variety — media, entertainment reporting