Elliot Page has taken aim at the notion that queer films only have a small audience. Speaking at the BFI Flare, London’s LGBTQ film festival, the actor said that “30% of young people identify as LGBTQ,” referring to a survey released earlier this year about Gen Z adults in the U.S. “So I’m sorry, but this is not niche.” Page was in London with his latest feature, “Close to You,” which had its European premiere as the BFI Flare opening night film on Thursday.
He singled out an “awful experience with a much older man” in a film he made when he was 16. “How was someone not there ?” he said. “It’s not fine. There are really vulnerable moments.” Page also discussed coming out as trans to “The Umbrella Academy” creator and showrunner Steve Blackman before shooting the third season of the hit superhero series, and how it was then woven into the storyline.