Elliot Page: ‘People are still shocked at how different I am after transitioning’-Tori Brazier-Entertainment – Metro

Actor Elliot Page is appearing onscreen in his first movie in nearly seven years (Picture: Rex/Shutterstock)

Elliot Page is a happy, comfortable man – and the evidence of that even hits me through the computer screen as we chat on Zoom about his first film role since 2017 with Close to You.

Page came out as a transgender man in 2020, later writing his bestselling memoir Pageboy as he continued in his role on The Umbrella Academy for Netflix, who leapt into action to support the 37-year-old star by having his character, Viktor, follow a similar path.

For the Canadian actor’s return to the big screen, he has also found similar support thanks to British Bafta-nominated director Dominic Savage, who cast Page to play Sam, a man trepidatiously visiting his family for the first time since his transition.

Naturally, Oscar nominee Page can bring a lot of context to Close to You, an improvised film that premiered at TIFF last September, giving a powerful yet understated performance.

However, he claims there was no grand plan to make his return to movies with a story so closely aligned with his own experience.

‘This word comes up all the time when we’re talking about this project – but it was just very organic. You know, sometimes I’m like, should I be more of a person who’s like, “What’s the next thing I should do?”,’ he smiles.

But he describes their collaboration as ‘a really magical opportunity’ after Page was blown away by Savage’s TV anthology series I Am…, and in particular I Am… Kirsty with Samantha Morton.

‘I couldn’t stop thinking about it,’ he tells me, before describing how he got ‘so over-the-moon thrilled about the prospect of making something in this way and with him’, referencing Savage’s approach to writing and improvising with his actors.

It was an added bonus that Page also got to work with one of his close friends, actress Hillary Baack, in Close to You, something they’d been hoping to get off the ground again after meeting on the set of 2013 political thriller, The East.

‘We were starting the very baby steps of chatting about that and wondering what it could be, and then Elliot just texted me and said, “I think there’s this amazing opportunity that could be perfect for us”,’ Baack recalls.

‘Obviously, I was beyond thrilled and honoured and very excited to join and be a part of it!’

The 37-year-old is passionate about the project, which mirrors his own personal experiences after transitioning (Picture: Rex/Shutterstock)

Oscar nominee Page also stars alongside longtime friend Hillary Baack (Picture: Rex/Shutterstock)

Although it’s clear from speaking to both stars that the creative process was very satisfying on Close to You, it seems fair to say that the daunting task of improvising while sticking to a character and their story – and being filmed – did jangle nerves.

‘The most difficult thing might have been, honestly, the anxiety leading up to it,’ laughs Page. ‘The moments of right before going into a scene of just like, oh no, I’m feeling a little tired, are we going to be able to do it this time?’

But he calls it ‘miraculous’ how once action was called, everyone was able to just ‘disappear into this other space’.

‘There was a trust, there was an understanding that there’s no mistakes. I think there was a certain pressure that was removed once we actually started, and then the experience just became incredibly natural and just real.’

He adds wryly to Baack: ‘I almost found the adjustment [difficult] when we weren’t shooting, because we’d be like hanging out, and I’d still think there’d be a camera there! It was weird. There was almost like a psychological adjustment when you were away.’

Baack fully agrees with Page’s assessment of ‘not knowing exactly what to expect’ ahead of starting work on Close to You.

He plays Sam, who reconnects with his old high school friend Katherine (Baack) during his first visit home since his transition in Close to You (Picture: Vertigo Releasing)

‘I will add one thing: I think there were a lot of scenes within our part of the story, where we were told, because of where we were at, to hold the tension,’ says Baack.

She plays Katherine, Sam’s old friend from high school whom he reconnects with on the train home to Cobourg, Ontario.

‘I was like, “Oh my God!” Holding, sustaining, that level of unspoken and desire and wanting to connect and feeling stuck – that is tough, for Katherine. And when we finally were together, I just felt like this relief of freedom, being able to say more of what I wanted.’

Both actors cannot speak highly enough of Savage and their ‘incredible’ experience of working with him.

‘I hope to do it again. I know actors just fight over him – I can speak for Kate Winslet and Samantha Morton and everyone just like wanting to work with Dominic again,’ enthuses Page.

Close to You is an improvised film, which its actors found anxiety-inducing in the run-up, but clamour to work with director Dominic Savage again now (Picture: Vertigo Releasing)

‘The big thing that’s different about it is just – it’s different! It is just not like making film or television in the way I, or most people, are used to.’

He calls his relationship with the filmmaker one of ‘complete trust.’

‘I felt so cared for. You know that this person is making something because their heart’s telling them to make something and guiding them to make something. And you feel that.’

He also felt it was joyful to have ‘that indescribable feeling that you get when you’re in a space, and have created this different reality, and it feels so honest and true’.

Describing the set-up, he continues: ‘Usually you get a couple of minutes, then cut, and then maybe you get a couple more takes, and then you wait while the camera turns for a while. And then here you are working this way, where you’re doing a 20-minute take, a 40-minute take, a 53-minute take!’

They also shot their scenes in order and with natural light, with Page describing the process as ‘an absolute dream’.

‘To have that sensation, that is just the best and it goes deeper and deeper and deeper.’

Page said he felt ‘so cared for’ by Savage (pictured left) during the making of Close to You (Picture: Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images)

Both Page and Baack, who is deaf, are from communities who are under-represented onscreen, and both are keen to see more progress.

‘I mean, obviously there’s been some change, right? There’s clearly been some progress, but hardly enough,’ says Page.

He also notes that ‘the representation thing becomes so complicated’ because it’s been increasing in a time of ‘just such horrific backlash’ for the trans community, which he wants to be mindful of.

‘Of course, I just want more. I want more trans actors to shine, and storytellers and writing – the whole thing! And hopefully we’ll continue to see that.’

Baack notes that deaf representation has ‘gotten better’ both across her career and lifetime – and she’s proud to be involved with Close to You and how it’s advanced things to the next level.

‘What can happen next that would be amazing, which I feel we started with this film, was that my character is a deaf woman, and it’s not about her deafness. It’s a part of who she is, but that’s not what the story is about – even though, yes, part of the connection that Sam and Katherine have was both having a sort of outsider’s perspective.’

The movie avoids a transphobic cliché with Sam’s return, going for a more ‘nuanced’ take in the Inception star’s eyes (Picture: Vertigo Releasing)

Baack also talks about learning to advocate better for herself on sets in terms of requesting practical help and adaptions.

‘That starts with the people working on the film being willing to listen and work with you – and that happened on this film. When there were things that came up, everyone was so willing and happy to meet me where I needed to be met so that I felt I had access and an equal experience.’

‘In general, in Hollywood, I feel like it’s getting better, and we’re all in our community becoming more aware of what we can ask for. Whereas before I felt a little more like I’ll just accept whatever happens. But now we’re getting stronger and clearer about those things.’

I reference to Page a particularly touching scene Sam shares with his father, played by Peter Outerbridge, in Close to You, who focuses on the happiness he can now see in his son, and how that’s all that matters to him.

It’s something that Page knows ‘absolutely 100%’ his friends and loved ones were struck by in him after his transition.

After coming out as a trans man in December 2020, Page notes that a difference in his demeanour was ‘instantaneous’ (Picture: Getty)

‘It was instantaneous. It is only increasing, to be honest, the further along I [go]. It’s usually one of the first things anybody says to me is basically just like, you’re so different in terms of being comfortable and happy and present and all those things.’

That scene is also one that Page really loves, especially as it’s an on-screen reunion for him and the ‘amazing’ Outerbridge, who played his father on the TV show ReGenesis nearly 20 years ago.

‘He’s an incredible actor, and in the film we were attempting to find that balance of not having that sort of going home to this awful, transphobic family, but still having something that was realistic and showed the nuance of all those sort of complicated little dynamics.’

‘To me, the only person who really sees Sam in this whole film is Katherine – even the way she speaks to him, the way she looks at him, the way you see him respond to her,’ he shares.

Before we go, I have to ask Page about The Umbrella Academy, given that we’re speaking on the day of the final season’s premiere in Los Angeles.

Netflix supported Page by changing his character on The Umbrella Academy from Vanya to Viktor following his transition (Picture: Christos Kalohoridis/Netflix)

The star is obviously touched by how fans also ‘welcomed’ the show ‘aligning’ with ‘certain personal moments of my life’ (Picture: Netflix)

Obviously, with Netflix’s support, it’s become a major chapter where both his personal and professional lives intersect – and the Juno star confirms that it’s ‘meant so much’ to him.

‘The main thing I always think is just like, “Oh my god, I’m so lucky.” I got to be a part of a show that was incredibly fulfilling as an actor – and also really fun and weird! And the fact that audiences responded the way that they did, and we got to have four seasons, was incredible,’ he smiles.

‘And to play Viktor – and I’ve obviously had certain personal moments of my life align with making this show – and to have that be welcomed, and get feedback as to how much that meant to people…’

Page clearly takes none of it for granted as he bids farewell to the project with this cast and crewmates.

‘There’s a sadness in seeing everyone and reflecting on it all, but we’ve been so lucky to have four seasons. And yeah, I’m excited for whatever’s next!’

Close to You is in UK cinemas from Friday, August 30.

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