Intrinsic to the success of “Close to You” is the relationship between Page and Baack’s characters, a bond they began to cultivate in real life after briefly working together on “The East” 13 years ago: “Our characters didn’t interact much. We were shooting this one scene one time, it’s not even in the film, but these characters are doing this exercise and Hillary and I were really holding each other’s hands and looking each other in the eyes, and we both started to really cry. And we’ve just steadily gotten closer actually since. Thus, we already have an intrinsic relationship, love for each other.”
This level of intimacy developed in the movie where, prior to filming, they discussed their characters’ backstories to “make little memories in the back of our minds, but we left it pretty open,” Page recalls. Baack adds that she had “clarity” surrounding what her character “was dealing with at home even though that’s not necessarily on the screen.” The culmination of “a beautiful synthesis of all of those aspects” created a safe space for each of their characters to explore their story on camera. “We were so in it, it was like going for a walk. Maybe I would get surprised about laughing or crying, or Elliot’s emotion would often catch me off guard a little bit. It was just this great dance.”
“It’s so enjoyable, I want to do it again,” Elliot responds. “I was surprised by the emotions a bit. I remember that first scene we were shooting on a train. I don’t know why I’m crying. What’s unique is you step into those moments, because I really didn’t. And there’s a line near the end of the movie that Hillary said to me, ‘I’m so proud of you,’ when we’re lying in bed together, and it just slayed me.”
The casting of Page and Baack in their respective roles is crucial as their characters’ identities honestly resonate with the actors’ personal lived experiences, however, it is not what the whole story is centered upon. Katherine is a pivotal part of Sam’s journey. “She’s from his past and her deafness is a part of her. But it’s not what the story is about, it’s not what she’s talking about,” Baack explains, “because in my life, I don’t go around talking about being deaf all the time. That’s not what I’m thinking about.”
“And so often we see deaf characters who are often played by hearing actors, and often acting like they’ve just become deaf, even if they haven’t. It’s what they think about all day and the only thing that story is about and the only thing that the character has to offer. There is so much more to any deaf person than their deafness, and I really was so excited to get to play this part and just be this woman who yes, is deaf, but that’s not what it is about.” “The Sound of Metal” actor asks Page, “I’m sure that’s the same for you?”
“Obviously,” he responds. “Weirdly, on ‘Them’ I just saw this video actually. And the person was breaking down the number of cis-het actors who’ve been nominated for Oscars playing queer and trans roles, versus the number of queer actors who have, etc. And it’s not comparable, especially for those who actually win. We have to be sharing authentic experiences, stories, and be giving people opportunities who historically have not gotten it whatsoever. And in a time where there’s this massive push to essentially erase trans people, I really want to see people play those roles.”
The Oscar-nominated actor, who has amassed a 5.7 million Instagram following, is at the forefront of the representation he correctly advocates for. He says there is “such significant lack of representation for both of our communities. So it just means a lot to be in the position and to have the platform I have to be able to tell the story, and hopefully, it offers something to people that’s meaningful.”
BFI Flare LGBTQIA+ Film Festival runs until March 24.
