How Teenage Cancer Trust helped shape Sunny Dancer, the new film starring Bella Ramsey and Neil Patrick Harris
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Sunny Dancer is the latest film from Teenage Cancer Trust ambassador George Jaques, starring Bella Ramsey, Neil Patrick Harris, Jessica Gunning and James Norton.
The film will be released on August 14th in cinemas across the UK. The story centres around Ivy, who is in remission from cancer and desperate to get back to her “normal life”. So when her parents suggest she attends what she scornfully refers to as “chemo camp” she is less than willing to go along with their plans.
Teenage Cancer Trust supported the development of the Sunny Dancer script, which George was inspired to write after meeting some of the young people we support. Our trustee, Professor Rachael Hough, also helped advise on some of the technical elements of the script, and young people supported by the charity had the opportunity to audition for some of the supporting roles.
Speaking to staff at Teenage Cancer Trust, George explained that after meeting young people supported by the charity, he realised that “cancer was the least interesting thing about them, and he wanted to create a film that reflected that reality.
Rather than focusing on hospitals and treatment, the film explores friendship, identity, love and finding your place in the world.
Thanks to George, audiences watching the film will also be able to see a short video explaining more about the work that Teenage Cancer Trust does for young people with cancer. They’ll be able to see that we’re here for anyone diagnosed with cancer aged 13-24, and their loved ones too, and find out more about the specialist nurses, youth workers and hospital wards within the NHS that we fund so young people with cancer get the care and support they need.
From cancer treatment to the big screen: Olivia and Finn's story
Working with the film’s producers, Teenage Cancer Trust helped create opportunities for young people with lived experience of cancer to become involved in the production itself. Olivia and Finn are both young actors who had to put their careers on hold due to cancer. They were supported by Teenage Cancer Trust, and had the opportunity to audition for supporting roles in the film. Here they discuss why being part of the film meant so much to them.
Olivia: At just 19 years old, I was diagnosed with skin cancer and had to go through treatment while studying at university, which was incredibly overwhelming. I was studying for a degree in TV and Film because I’d always known I wanted to work in the industry.
When I was young, acting was a way for me to find my place in school, but during my cancer experience, it offered so much joy and at times escapism. Acting has been the one thing that takes my mind off cancer, so when I saw that Teenage Cancer Trust shared a casting call for Sunny Dancer, I jumped at the chance to audition.
Finn: When I saw the casting call, I also couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Just like Olivia, acting means so much to me, especially since facing cancer.
When I was diagnosed with cancer at 15 years old, I had to go through chemotherapy, which meant I had to put acting on hold – that was really hard for me.
Not being able to act during that time made me realise more than ever that acting was my passion. But since finishing treatment, I’ve gone to drama school and been lucky enough to work on some amazing projects in the industry.
Olivia: After being cast following our auditions for the film, we met on the way to Glasgow to start filming and immediately bonded.
When we arrived, we were both given a letter from George himself, welcoming us and wishing us luck, which was so lovely.
In pictures: On set during the filming of Sunny Dancer
Olivia's character squares up to Bella Ramsey during filming of Sunny Dancer
Finn and Olivia filming a scene in Sunny Dancer
Finn and Olivia play local youngsters who are antagonistic towards the young people from the cancer camp - a far cry from their own experience
The pair struck up a friendship during filming as fellow actors who had shared a similar experience
The scenes they shot took place at a funfair
Olivia: Being a part of this film and seeing it come to life has been so special. It means a lot to see a story that focuses on young people for who they are, not just the cancer they’ve experienced. In previous movies, you’re just shown the hospital part of cancer and not a life outside of that. But we aren’t just patients; we’re real people, and the film does an amazing job of portraying just that.
Finn: On top of that, the script is absolutely incredible – so funny and relatable. There’s a lot of dark humour amongst young people who’ve had cancer, and that’s really present in the film.
What’s great about it is that it’s able to bring out elements of joy, sadness and darkness.
It was an amazing project to part of. From the acting side of things it was real pleasure to be able to work alongside George and the cast and there was such a welcoming energy amongst the cast and crew.
Having experienced having cancer in my teenage years I remember feeling as if I was an anomaly and tried everything to feel normal and fit in like I did before my diagnosis. The script and message of the film highlights the fact that these really are just normal kids who have been dealt an unfair hand. It’s about finding a place where you can feel accepted and not different from the next person.