Close To You co-star Elliot Page, Hillary Baack and BAFTA-winning filmmaker Dominic Savage spoke with FILMHOUNDS about creating trans joy, building queer love and that infamous 53-minute long take.
In Close To You — produced by Page's trailblazing production company Pageboy Productions — the 37-year-old Hollywood actor plays Sam, a trans man living in Toronto who returns to his small town home near Lake Ontario for the first time in four years to celebrate his dad's birthday.
As Sam navigates complex family dynamics and reclaims the power in his own identity, he also stumbles across his high school best friend Katherine (portrayed by Sound of Metal star Baack). When the two rekindle their old friendship, unresolved feelings from years ago resurface.
For Page – who earned his breakout role in the 2007 hit Juno – Close To You is a triumphant return to the big screen and his first cinematic trans role since he publicly came out as transgender in December 2020.
This healing slice-of-life drama, which centres the power of living your truth, bucks the usual trend of tragically ending LGBTQ+ stories. This was something Page was eager to contribute to the queer cinematic landscape.
“Historically we've seen different consistent narratives full of violence and sadness,” Page told FILMHOUNDS during the European premiere of Close To You at the BFI Flare Festival.
“The sad part is, it's horrible to have to say, that is the reality for a lot of queer and trans people. But ideally, there can be more stories full of self-embodiment and hope and all the other possibilities in life.”
His co-star Baack, who Page first met while filming a movie called The East 13 years ago, echoed the sentiment. “Being able to shine a light on those moments of joy can help to bring in everyone to see this film. To have fun and feel connection and feel joy and feel moved,” she said.
Although the story was co-authored by Page and Savage who first connected almost three years ago, the dialogue for the film was largely improvised, allowing the actors to feel their way through conversations and story beats with authentic and raw emotion. Page shed light on how he and Baack built that jump-off-the-screen chemistry between their characters.
“We've only gotten closer and closer over the years and desperately wanted to figure out something to do together,” Page said. “So there's a chemistry and love that's very easy to tap into.
“We would have our own private conversations about potentially what their friendship or relationship was in high school. Send little things like ‘Oh maybe they listened to this song together'. But for the most part, it was just about being there and just being present on the day.”
The unconventional filming approach required immense amounts of trust between cast and crew to capture heartfelt and emotional scenes.
In a press statement, Page explained that since his first meeting with Savage the two instantly bonded over their shared vision for this film. “The sensation of being incredibly vulnerable and open and working with each other to find these deeply truthful, meaningful moments, creating something together feels inspiring and exciting and exhilarating,” he reflected.
This improvised technique led to takes going on for as long as 53 minutes, a mighty feat for a film set. But according to director Savage (Nice Girl), as long as you are “sensitive to everyone” and “allowing them to be totally in the moment”, the process speaks for itself.
“[You must] make it as authentic of a world as possible so it feels not so much like acting but being. I think that's the point,” he continued. “Once you're in it then everything's possible, it's all there for you. As long as you are prepared to go with it and Elliot was and always will be. Then it's an incredible experience and I think he would testify to that.”
As for the cinematic influences which shaped his style, Savage pointed to filmmakers such as John Cassavetes (Rosemary‘s Baby). “I like something that feels incredibly real in that way,” he explained. But ultimately, he wants to pave his own path.
“The rest is developing your own way. Doing it in your own voice. The trouble is, if you get too influenced by other things you tend to imitate which I never like to do. I like to feel like what I'm doing, I've not necessarily seen before,” Savage concluded.
Close To You screened as part of this year's BFI Flare Festival.
