Elliot Page opens up about feeling 'liberated’ filming first movie role in six years

Elliot Page has opened about feeling 'liberated' filming his new movie, which is his first role in six years.

The movie Close To You, starring Page, will follow the story of a trans man who is visiting his family for the first time since transitioning.

It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on Sunday, and follows Page's character, Sam, returning to a family reunion event after four years.

After transitioning and finding acceptance as his true self, returning back to the small town where he grew up presents a number of challenges for Sam.

It was co-written by Page - who came out as transgender in 2020 - and Dominic Savage, who also directed the film.

Sam's story is in part influenced by Page's own journey, and he described the process of playing a character close to himself as 'liberating'.

TIFF

"The way I get to feel working now is far more embodied coming from that foundation, versus entering and not feeling that way. It's a huge shift. Doing something like this, complete improv, before, would've been close to impossible," he told Entertainment Weekly just before the film's premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.

"The sensation of being able to do it and feel that present enough to do it, I just felt exhilarated every day. What a special film to do, first time [back on film], because it lets you feel embodied to the extreme."

The 36-year-old actor, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Juno in 2007, opened up about initially being nervous about filming a movie reliant on improvisation.

However, he added that Savage had created a safe space for members of the cast to feel as though they could fully explore their characters.

Page told Reuters: "It allowed us to feel free, limitless and dive into the material, and it worked.

"So much of this movie is about connections, what it means to be human, and what it means to feel seen. And I imagine those themes resonate with most people."

The movie also includes an important moment in which Sam is seen shirtless, and the Umbrella Academy star described how it felt like the 'natural' thing to do for the role.

Kennedy Pollard/Getty Images for RBC

He said: "Shooting on the day, I was getting out of bed and getting dressed, it was sort of clumsy, like, 'Oh, it would be great, he sleeps shirtless.'

"In the moment when you're making this, you're making it from this instinctual place that I don't know how to describe. It just sort of happens, but at the same time, it just felt natural.

"Showing this dude who's comfortable and present and waking up in his body, that means a lot to me. I never thought I'd feel that way, so it's nice to get to act it."

Page has previously spoken about his own 'joy' with a topless snap as he spoke about how gender-affirming care had changed his life.