Rupert Grint’s comments in response to quesiton about fascism have been criticised (Picture: Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images)
Rupert Grint has assured fans he is ‘obviously’ against fascism while at the Berlin Film Festival, but he’s getting backlash for not saying enough.
Some felt the former child star’s denouncement didn’t go far enough when a journalist asked him about the rise in far-right sentiment in the UK.
Rupert rarely speaks publicly but previously said he ‘firmly stand[s] with the trans community’ in 2020 alongside his fellow Harry Potter stars.
Referencing his comments in support of the trans community, the journalist asked if he had considered speaking out on the rise of fascism.
‘Obviously, I’m against it,’ Rupert said while on a panel for his new film Nightborn, a Finnish horror movie which premiered at the festival.
He continued: ‘But I choose my moments when to speak. But I think yeah, it’s obviously hugely relevant now. You’ll hear from me.’
He said he would ‘choose his moment’ to speak while at the film premiere (Picture: Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Rupert has steered clear of the spotlight since the end of the wizarding franchise, choosing smaller projects such as dark comedy Sick Note and M Night Shyamalan’s Servant.
Nightborn is only his second film role since 2015, following on from 2023’s Knock at the Cabin, also a Shyamalan project, after he took a break from the big screen.
He’s called fame ‘dehumanising’, revealing he couldn’t recall a time he wasn’t hounded by paparazzi, having been cast as Ron Weasley at age 11.
Despite his comment that he is ‘obviously’ against fascism, some fans felt he didn’t go far enough and branded him ‘spineless’.
‘Oh my god, why is every single person at this festival so far being spineless,’ criticised nathanrobii on X.
Hey_its_katy reasoned: ‘I need actors to remember that they are artists and that art is always political. Speak up! Please stop leaving it to JUST the little people. We all have to work together.’
Rupert was promoting Finnish horror Nightborn (Picture: Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Some felt he could have said more against increasing global far-right sentiment (Picture: EPA)
‘Was everyone castrated upon entry of this festival, wth is going on,’ asked Pandafresh, referencing the actors being questioned over their political stances.
Some declared Rupert should have denounced Donald Trump and ICE, the US immigration force, despite the fact that he doesn’t live in the United States.
Also at the festival, Michelle Yeoh dodged a question on US politics, replying: ‘I do not believe I am in a position to truly discuss the U.S. political situation, nor do I dare say that I fully understand it.
‘Therefore, it is best not to speak about things one does not know well.’
She does have a home in Beverly Hills as of 2023, but grew up in Malaysia, and her primary residence is in Geneva, Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Charli XCX, there for mockumentary The Moment, praised the festival for ‘not shying away from political films’ but was not asked for her thoughts on the rise in fascism in the UK.
Michelle Yeoh also dodged a question on US politics at the festival (Picture: Gerald Matzka/Getty Images)
Charli xcx praised the festival for including political films (Picture: Laurent Hou / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
However, some fans were left confused as to why so many actors were being interrogated on their political stances rather than their films.
‘What kind of question is that… that’s like asking “did you like world war 2“,’ defended hypersonicfilm.
‘Why are they asking every and any actor about politics, like can we focus on the movie 😭😭😭,’ added cowboimky.
DrTad sarcastically shared: ‘Thank goodness. Ron Weasley outed as being against fascism. I was worried for a minute he’d answer the wrong way.’
‘Not every actor needs to be an activist,’ said Gothoperas, adding: ‘Nobody expects literally any other job role to be 100% involved in politics.
‘U give someone an audience for producing art and then expect them to suddenly just stop talking about art and pivot to politics.’
As Garbage’s Shirley Manson previously told Metro, artists can ‘criticise power and the abuse of power’ as ‘they say things that are not allowed or are feared within the system.’
Director Hanna Bergholm proudly showed off her pro-Palestine pin (Picture: Laurent Hou / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
Filmmaker Ilja Rautsi also showed support for Gaza (Picture: Sebastian Reuter/Getty Images)
Rupert has stayed out of the spotlight for many years (Picture: EPA)
However, she noted she would never ‘bully’ others into being vocal on sensitive topics.
This push for celebrities to be vocally political has been growing, with those in both the US and UK facing calls to speak out.
Nightborn director Hanna Bergholm chose to wear a Palestine pin, sharing: ‘As grown-up human beings, I think we have a responsibility to speak up against violence and injustice.
She added: ‘It’s important that we don’t tell other film artists that they shouldn’t speak up.’
Screenwriter Ilja Rautsi also said: ‘I think it is important to shine a light on whatever issues we are facing because art is all about empathy Politicians or millionaires who don’t do anything but cause problems, it’s maybe good to create some form of pressure, or just to get people aware of whatever is happening in the world, what are the wrongs that are taking place in Ukraine or genocide in Palestine.’
Metro reached out to Rupert’s team for comment.
Don’t miss a Showbiz scoop! Add us as a Preferred Source
As a loyal Metro Showbiz reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories. We’re here to bring you all the latest celeb news and updates, videos, and exclusive interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.
Click here and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Comment now
Comments
Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google
Add as preferred source