Elliot Page Bares it All: Discover the Empowering Story Behind the Shirtless Scene in Upcoming Movie

Summary

Elliot Page discusses the empowering experience of baring his chest in Close to You, emphasizing that it felt authentic and represents a commendable portrayal of a transgender individual's physique.

Close to You holds great importance for Page, as it marks his return to the silver screen after publicly identifying as transgender. This role allows him to portray a transgender man, thereby showcasing vital representation and celebrating the transgender community's visibility in the film industry.

Actor Elliot Page discusses the feeling of liberation he experienced while filming a shirtless scene for the upcoming movie Close to You. In the film, Page, who publicly came out as transgender in 2020, portrays Sam, a trans man who confronts past memories after reuniting with an old friend. Directed by Dominic Savage, Close to You also stars Hillary Baack from Sound of Metal alongside Page. The film is set to have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Page opens up about the empowering nature of the opening scene in Close to You. In an interview with EW, Page shares about the scene where Sam, shirtless, wakes up and gazes out of the window. Page describes that the character being shirtless in bed felt natural, although it was once something that seemed nearly impossible. This moment and character hold great significance for Page. See the full quote below.

On the day of filming, as I got out of bed and dressed myself, there was a sense of clumsiness, like thinking, 'Oh, it would be great if he sleeps without a shirt.' In that moment, it's coming from an instinctual place that's hard to explain. It just happens naturally. Portraying a character who is comfortable and fully present in their body is meaningful to me. I never thought I would feel this way, so it's satisfying to be able to act it out.

The way I feel about my work now is much more grounded, coming from that foundation, compared to before when I didn't feel that way. It's a significant shift. Doing something like this, completely improvising, would have been almost impossible in the past. The sensation of being able to do it and feel present enough to do it, it was exhilarating for me every day. It's such a unique film to be a part of, especially as my first time working on a film again, because it allows you to fully embody the character.

Why Close To You Is A Win For Both Page & Trans Representation

Close to You is a significant role for Page as it marks his first appearance in a film since publicly coming out as a transgender man in 2020. Prior to this, his last film was the 2017 remake of Flatliners, where he portrayed protagonist Courtney. During the time between then and now, Page gained recognition for starring in The Umbrella Academy, a show that respected his gender identity by revealing his character Viktor Hargreeves as transgender.

In Page's latest film, Close to You, he has the opportunity to play a male character, specifically a transgender man. The inclusion of Page and his new physique in Close to You serves as a positive representation for the transgender community. Despite some progress in featuring transgender characters in recent years, it remains uncommon for them to receive the same treatment as cisgender characters. The simple act of a shirtless trans man waking up, which has been depicted by cisgender men in films for decades, is a significant step towards celebrating and normalizing the trans experience, rather than hiding or stigmatizing it.

The introduction of Close to You sets a positive tone, with the casting of a transgender actor in the role of a transgender character, which is crucial for representation. Page's involvement in the opening scene reflects their personal significance, and it is hoped that Close to You will resonate strongly with its future viewers.