Bella Ramsey's upcoming movie Sunny Dancer that's been hailed as "an absolute gem" in first reviews is coming to cinemas this summer, with a series of free screenings being held across the UK.
Also starring Happy Valley star James Norton and Baby Reindeer's Jessica Gunning, the film from writer-director George Jaques is set to screen for free at more than 120 independent UK cinemas on 27 and 28 July ahead of its 14 August wider release. You can get your tickets right now for a free local screening at the official site for Escapes.
Sunny Dancer follows protagonist Ivy (Ramsey), a 17-year-old who, after beating cancer, is encouraged to take part in a summer camp in Scotland alongside other teens with similar diagnoses. After a rocky start, in which she has a hard time adjusting to the camp rules, Ivy finds friends and connection at 'Chemo Camp'.
The film springs from a personal place for writer-director Jaques, whose family history with cancer prompted him to make a film that could defy expectations around the illness.
"My mum had cancer for a long time when I was growing up. I think it was part of why I got into writing. Having that background as a teenager, and her getting diagnosed massively impacted the way I saw the world. So I knew I wanted to tell a cancer story," he said.
Jaques added that he he wanted to make "a film about cancer" but not making it "depressing".
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"I want to do a film with no hospital scenes," the director, who intended to reflect the experiences of the teenage cancer patients he met as an ambassador for the Teenage Cancer Trust, said.
"I wanted to make a film where cancer was the least interesting thing about the characters. They have these skills, this whole life, because they are still teenagers."
Sunny Dancer received positive reviews out of Berlinale, with The Upcoming calling it "an absolute gem" and "a joyous celebration of youth".
Supported by BFI-awarding National Lottery Funding, Escapes is a nationwide cinema initiative aiming to make cinema more accessible, celebrate independent cinemas and bring new audiences to local venues.
Escapes hosts free screenings across the UK each month, with films such as Power Ballad, Exit 8, Wasteman, Eternity and I Swear among recent screenings. Over 200,000 free cinema tickets have been claimed for Escapes screenings since its launch two years ago.
Sunny Dancer releases in cinemas on 14 August, with free UK screenings on 27 and 28 July through Escapes.
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
