Toronto 2023: Elliot Page talks about a “liberating” shirtless scene in his new film Close To You – The USA Print

After making it known to the world that he was a trans person, actor Elliot Page has embarked on new and interesting personal projects, and the most recent is Close to Youwhich debuted at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. In this film, Page experienced a liberating feeling by filming a shirtless scene, proudly showing off his body.

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Page (The Origin – 86%, Juno: Grow, Run and Stumble – 94%, X-Men: Days of Future Past – 91%) not only stars, he also co-wrote and produced Close To You, and is a significant milestone in his career as it is his first film project since revealing his identity as a transgender man in December 2020. Directed by Dominic Savage, the story follows Sam, a transgender character played by Page, as he Reconnects with an old friend during a trip to reunite with his family. The production was characterized by a highly improvised style, which provided the actor with a unique experience.

In interview with Entertainment WeeklyPage stated that before Close to You He had not felt so comfortable in his body:

Filming that day, I got out of bed and got dressed, it was a bit clumsy, and I thought ‘Oh, that would be cool, he sleeps shirtless.’ The moment you’re doing this, you’re doing it from this instinctive place that I don’t know how to describe.

Also read: Elliot Page reveals that working with cisgender men on Inception made him feel out of place

Giving life to the character in the film became a reflection of his own feelings, since for the first time he left behind any type of discomfort regarding his body.

Showing this guy that he is comfortable and present and waking up in his body means a lot to me. I never thought I’d feel this way, so it’s nice to be able to act like this.

Page says that playing a trans man with whom he could identify in many ways was a “liberating” experience in his career, and made him feel better than any other role in his career:

Doing something like this, a complete improvisation, before, would have been almost impossible. The feeling of being able to do it and feeling present enough to do it, I felt excited every day. What a special film to make, the first time (again in the film), because it allows you to feel embodied to the extreme.

The financing of Close to You came from Kindred Spirit, with PageBoy Productions and other collaborators. The film had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023 and was scheduled for a gala screening at the 2023 Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival. Page’s commitment to her transgender identity and her contribution to the film industry freelance are highlights of his career.

The importance of LGBTQ representation

The revelation of Elliot Page as a transgender man he had a significant impact on several levels. First of all, it was an important step for the visibility and acceptance of trans people in the entertainment industry. Page, being a well-known figure, used his platform to educate the public about the experiences of trans people and to advocate for equal rights and inclusion. His bravery in sharing his identity contributed to the destigmatization of gender identity and encouraged others to do the same.

The importance of representation in the media cannot be underestimated. When people in the LGBTQ+ community see public figures like Page openly living their identities, they feel validated and less alone in their experiences. Furthermore, this representation helps challenge stereotypes and prejudices, promoting a more inclusive and understanding society.

The revelation of Elliot Page as a transgender man was an important milestone in the fight for visibility and acceptance of transgender people. His impact goes beyond the entertainment industry and highlights the continued need for diverse and accurate representation in the media so that all communities feel recognized and respected.

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