August 27th 2024.
Elliot Page sat comfortably in front of his computer screen as we chatted over Zoom about his latest film, "Close to You." It was evident through his happiness and ease that he was in a good place in life. It had been seven years since he last appeared in a movie, but now he was back with a powerful performance in this improvised film.
In 2020, Page came out as a transgender man, and he continued to work on his role in Netflix's "The Umbrella Academy" while also writing his bestselling memoir, "Pageboy." The streaming giant was quick to show their support for the 37-year-old actor, having his character in the show follow a similar path. And for his return to the big screen, Page found support in British Bafta-nominated director Dominic Savage, who cast him as Sam, a man visiting his family for the first time since his transition.
Page's own experiences as a transgender man brought a lot of context to the film, which premiered at TIFF last September. However, he insists that there was no grand plan to make his comeback with a story so closely aligned with his own. "This word comes up all the time when we're talking about this project – but it was just very organic," he shares with a smile. "Sometimes I wonder if I should be more calculated with my choices, but ultimately, it just felt like the right thing to do."
The collaboration with Savage was a "magical opportunity" for Page, who was blown away by the director's TV anthology series, "I Am...". He specifically mentions the episode "I Am... Kirsty" with Samantha Morton, which he couldn't stop thinking about. "I got so over-the-moon thrilled about the prospect of making something in this way and with him," he says, referring to Savage's approach of writing and improvising with his actors.
Page also had the added bonus of working with his close friend, actress Hillary Baack, who he met on the set of the 2013 political thriller, "The East." The two had been hoping to work together again, and Page was thrilled when he received a text from Baack about this "amazing opportunity" that was perfect for them. Baack, on the other hand, was beyond thrilled and honored to join the project.
Both actors are passionate about "Close to You," a film that mirrors their own personal experiences. They also speak highly of their experience working with Savage, who created a safe and trusting environment for them to improvise and bring their characters to life. "It was a different way of working," says Page. "But it was just not like making film or television in the way I, or most people, are used to."
The actors admit that the thought of improvising while staying true to their characters and their stories, all while being filmed, was anxiety-inducing. But once they were in the moment, they were able to disappear into their roles and create something real and honest. "There was a trust," says Baack. "There was an understanding that there are no mistakes. And once we started filming, the experience became incredibly natural and real."
Page jokingly adds that he found it challenging to adjust back to reality when they weren't filming because he was so used to being in the moment with Savage and the other actors. But both he and Baack have nothing but praise for the director and hope to work with him again in the future. "The big thing that's different about it is just – it's different!" says Page. "It's not like making film or television in the way that most people are used to."
But what made this experience so special for Page was the trust and care he felt from Savage. "You know that this person is making something because their heart is telling them to make something," he says. "And you feel that." Baack also agrees, adding that it was a joy to create a different reality with Savage, one that felt honest and true. "I hope to do it again," says Page. "I know actors just fight over him, wanting to work with Dominic again."
It's been almost seven years since we've seen actor Elliot Page on the big screen, but now he's back and better than ever. I can't help but feel the positive energy radiating from him as we chat over Zoom about his latest film, Close to You.
Page, who publicly came out as a transgender man in 2020, has been living his truth ever since. He even wrote a bestselling memoir, "Pageboy," while continuing to star in his role on Netflix's hit show, The Umbrella Academy. Netflix was quick to show support for the 37-year-old by having Page's character, Viktor, also go through a similar journey.
But now, Page is returning to the big screen with the help of British Bafta-nominated director Dominic Savage. In Close to You, Page plays Sam, a man who is visiting his family for the first time since his transition. It's a story that hits close to home for Page, but he insists that there was no grand plan for him to make his comeback with a film so closely related to his own experience.
"It was just very organic," Page says with a smile. "Sometimes I wonder if I should be more strategic in my choices, but this project just felt right."
Page's collaboration with Savage was truly magical, as he was blown away by the director's TV anthology series, I Am..., especially the episode featuring Samantha Morton. "I couldn't stop thinking about it," Page recalls.
It was also a bonus to work with his close friend, actress Hillary Baack, whom he met on the set of the 2013 film, The East. The two had been hoping to work together again, and when Page came across the script for Close to You, he knew it was the perfect opportunity for them.
Baack also shares Page's enthusiasm for the project, and both actors can't stop praising Savage's approach to writing and improvising with his actors. "It was a truly magical experience," Baack says.
But despite the positive experience, both actors admit that improvising while staying true to their characters and story was quite nerve-wracking. "The most difficult thing was the anxiety leading up to it," Page confesses with a laugh. "But once we started filming, everyone just disappeared into this other space."
Baack adds, "There was a trust among us, and we knew that there were no mistakes. Once we started, it just became natural and real."
Page even jokes that he had a hard time adjusting to not being filmed when they weren't shooting. "I would still feel like there was a camera there when we were hanging out. It was a psychological adjustment for me."
Both actors have nothing but praise for Savage, who they describe as an incredible director to work with. "I hope to work with him again," Page says, and Baack agrees, adding that actors are always fighting to work with Savage again.
As for the film itself, both actors admit that it was a unique experience, unlike any other film or TV show they've worked on. "It was just different," Page says. "But in a good way. It's not like anything I've ever done before."
Page also expresses his complete trust in Savage and how he felt truly cared for on set. "You know that this person is making something because their heart is telling them to. And you feel that."
He also describes the joy he felt in creating a different reality on set and how it felt honest and true. "That's the indescribable feeling you get when you're in a space and have created something that feels so real."
In the end, both Page and Baack hope that audiences will connect with Close to You and the story it tells. "It's a story that needs to be told," Page says with passion. "And I'm grateful to be a part of it."
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