Overcoming the Cold War required courage from the people of Central and Eastern Europe and what was then the German Democratic Republic but it also required the steadfastness of Western partner over many decades when many had long lost hope of integration of the two Germanys and Europe.
There's no such thing as an actor giving positive criticism to a director. The minute you say 'Don't you think it would look nicer...' that director's going to hate your guts. Particularly if it's a good idea.