Elliot Page will lend his talents as an executive producer to a new documentary from Italian director Nicolò Bassetti, called Nel Mio Nome (Into My Name). The project, which will premiere at the 2022 Berlin International Film Festival in February, follows four friends as they transition from a female to a male gender identity at different times in their lives.
According to Bassetti, the documentary was inspired by the gender transition of his own son, Matteo.
“My personal experience as a parent has allowed me, as a director, to find the necessary self-assurance to approach the protagonists of this story, to delve into their emotions, and establish an intimate relationship built on trust and complicity,” he said in a statement.
Page, who has starred in films such as Juno, Inception and the popular TV series The Umbrella Academy, came out as transgender in 2020.
In the post, uploaded to the actors Instagram account on December 1 that year, Page wrote: “Hi friends, I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they and my name is Elliot.
“I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life. I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey. I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self. I’ve been endlessly inspired by so many in the trans community.
“Thank you for your courage, your generosity and ceaselessly working to make this world a more inclusive and compassionate place. I will offer whatever support I can and continue to strive for a more loving and equal society.”
In 2021, he became the first openly trans man to appear on the cover of Time magazine, explaining how the pandemic had helped him arrive at his truth.
“I had a lot of time on my own to really focus on things that I think, in so many ways, unconsciously, I was avoiding,” Page said.
Inspired by people like Janet Mock and Laverne Cox, and trans writers such as P. Carl, Page said that “shame and discomfort” gave way to revelation. “I was finally able to embrace being transgender,” he explained, “and letting myself fully become who I am.”
In a statement, Page relayed why he was eager to join the team behind Nel Mio Nome, saying, “What stands out to me about Nel Mio Nome is the way it so artfully and intentionally presents all the different pieces that make up a person’s identity.
“It’s a meditation on trans humanity, and I’ve never seen another film like it. Knowing that Bassetti consulted closely with his trans son throughout production is so beautiful to me, and I think that lived experience and input is clear in the film’s perspective. I’m honoured to be on board and can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
Added Bassetti, “I am truly grateful to Elliot for adding his lived perspective to help our film find its way in the world.”
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