Making the rounds in the news lately has been Elliot Page’s interview with On Film…With Kevin McCarthy, where he revealed that The Odyssey hasn’t brought in the wave of film offers one may expect after starring in one of the biggest movies of the year.
It’s a recognisable situation for trans, gender-diverse and queer folk in the movie and TV industry, and it’s important to talk about.
But there’s another part of the interview that hasn’t been making headlines, but that we think needs attention. The joyful, soul-warming part of the conversation, because queer joy is also an important part of protest, action and advocacy; yet is often left out.
At QNews, we utterly despise, but notice regularly, that queer pain, hardship or controversy are the only things that get picked up by major outlets and social trends most of the time.
That our joy, wins, love and peace are so rarely chosen to be at the centre.
This is why LGBTQIA+ and independent media, and our community, are so important.
So, if you haven’t watched the full conversation, there’s a moment towards the end that we think is particularly worth knowing about.
‘I feel like I could maybe do some of my best work now’
In the interview, Page and McCarthy talk about The Odyssey, Page’s role as the Greek soldier Sinon, and what comes next for the actor.
McCarthy, towards the end of the interview, asks the obvious question: after appearing in one of the year’s biggest films, does Page know what role he’s doing next?
“I imagine you’re getting a zillion calls after this movie,” McCarthy says.
“No, Kevin, I’m not,” Page replies, laughing. “I know I get some pushback for being Canadian. I don’t know what it’s about,” he then jokes.
This is the part that has taken the media by storm. And rightly so, it’s a response that tells us a lot about Hollywood and about the barriers trans actors continue to face in the industry.
But then the conversation keeps going, and what Page says next is, to me, just as interesting.
“I’d really love to do good work. That’s what I’d love to do.”
“I had such a great time being in [‘Inception’] [and] working with [Nolan], but I was also, personally, really uncomfortable.
“Because that’s removed, and I don’t have to deal with that when I’m acting and my performances. I feel like I could maybe do some of my best work now.
“I’m not having to literally work through a performance that I don’t even quite know what I’m doing to get to a performance.”
This part of the conversation we think deserves a little more attention
Society’s biggest media outlets and social media algorithms spend a lot of time either ignoring or giving far less attention to the positives of being trans, gender-diverse or part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Page shared something beautiful. That he is now in a place where he’s able to act without an additional, invisible weight. He told us about not having to spend part of himself navigating something he couldn’t quite articulate, while also trying to become someone else on screen.
Something so relatable for those in the community who have transitioned, and so inspirational for those still starting or in the process.
Frankly, this makes us even more interested in what he does next.
We already got a taste of it in The Odyssey, where his portrayal of Sinon was utterly phenomenal, and we’re desperate to see what project he does next.
To see more of Elliot Page as his unweighted, happy self.
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