queer - Blog 2.0 - California Film Foundation2024-03-29T16:00:17Zhttps://californiafilm.net/profiles/news/feed/tag/queer‘Happiest Season’ Director Clea DuVall on the Film’s Historic Success, Sequel Hopes, and Aubrey Plaza: ‘She’s a Babe!’https://californiafilm.net/profiles/news/happiest-season-director-clea-duvall-on-the-film-s-historic-succe2020-12-02T23:08:05.000Z2020-12-02T23:08:05.000ZElla Christiansenhttps://californiafilm.net/members/EllaChristiansen<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8242093666,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8242093666,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="450" alt="8242093666?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></a></p><p>“Happiest Season,” from Sony’s Tri-Star Pictures and eOne, was always poised to make history, as the first holiday romantic comedy about a same-sex couple from a major Hollywood studio. Then the pandemic hit, leaving Sony with little choice other than to sell “Happiest Season” to Hulu. That seems to have turned out wonderfully: Variety has learned exclusively from Hulu that “Happiest Season” broke premiere records for the streamer. Over the long Thanksgiving weekend, the movie had the best viewership for any original film on the service in its opening weekend, and attracted more new subscribers than any other previous feature title.</p><p>Directed by Clea DuVall, and co-written by DuVall and Mary Holland (who also co-stars in the movie), “Happiest Season” is a coming out story, revolving around Abby (Kristen Stewart) and Harper (Mackenzie Davis). When Harper invites Abby home for Christmas, having somehow momentarily forgotten that she’s closeted to her family, she conscripts Abby into pretending they’re straight until after the holiday is over — after which she swears she’ll come out to her uptight parents, Ted and Tipper (Victor Garber and Mary Steenburgen). At the family’s high-pressured Christmas events, hijinks ensue, and Harper hurts Abby’s feelings a bunch, threatening the relationship.</p><p>Of course, being the first of its kind, and serving the underrepresented LGBTQ audience, means that “Happiest Season” inspired an absolute tonnage of deeply felt opinions, which were manifested both in written takes and on social media — most of them were loving, though some wanted Abby to take a different path, and a few were downright Grinchy. But unless you live under a rock (in which case, is there room for one more?), your Thanksgiving social media feeds were full of thoughts — nay, strongly argued points — about “Happiest Season.” Naturally, according to Hulu, it was the company’s most-talked about original film ever on Twitter, and was overall the most-tweeted about movie during the holiday weekend, trending three times.</p><p>“Obviously, we all wanted a theatrical release for this, and Sony was such a great partner,” DuVall told Variety on Monday night. “But Hulu just took the ball and did such an incredible job, and were so passionate. It’s really heartening to me that so many people wanted to get this story out there.”</p><p>DuVall — a prolific actor, turned writer-director — also addressed the internet’s ardent love for Aubrey Plaza’s Riley, having compassion for Harper’s coming out journey, and the possibility of a sequel. (SPOILER ALERT about the entirety of the movie, obviously!)</p><p>What was your experience of the movie going up on Wednesday, and of its reception?</p><p>It was kind of remarkable. In all the years I’ve been doing this, I’ve never had anything come out and have so many people reaching out to me. It was really cool. And seeing on Twitter people talking about it was really exciting. To do something that so many people were noticing — I’m not really used to that. I’m really a fly-under-the-radar guy.</p><p>As I was watching the conversation unfold online over the weekend, one thing I was thinking is that “Happiest Season” doesn’t get to be just a movie, because it’s also a symbol — but I would think that makes it hard when it’s also a story that’s personal to you. Can you talk about of being the first in this kind of situation? Is that a burden?</p><p>I think it’s a privilege. And yes, I know being the first comes with a lot of expectations. But I also felt like it’s so long overdue for a movie like this to be made on this scale, you know? All I really was hoping for is that it would give studios or streamers the impression that movies like this have an audience, and that people want to see them. I just wanted to do a good enough job that I would get to make more on a larger scale. That LGBTQ stories would be — you know, that there would be more of them!</p><p>Getting into some of the things that people have been talking about — obviously, you wrote the movie so that Abby ends up with Harper, but there are so many people who want Abby to be with Riley! Do you —</p><p>Do they want Abby to be with Riley, or do they want to be with Riley? I mean, it also can be both.</p><p>I think it’s both? But they definitely want Abby to be with what Riley.</p><p>Yeah. I mean, listen: Aubrey is incredible. She’s incredible in general, and she was so fantastic in this film. I was so excited when she agreed to do it. And I was so excited when she was on set; I was so excited in the editing room. To be able to make a movie and put someone who I love and admire as much as I love and admire Aubrey into it — and then watch people fall in love with her — is so rewarding. I don’t blame them for loving her as much as they do.</p><p>And I think it’s also so cool to have a movie where people are having these conversations, and are having these debates. That people are engaged.</p><p>Can you talk about creating Riley in general? What did you want from her character?</p><p>I think there’s something so specific about when you are the only queer person in a situation, and another queer person shows up. It is such a relief. There’s a shorthand; there’s a comfort there — it’s just a very specific experience. So much of the time, I’m the only queer person on a set, you know? And then when there’s another queer person there, or queer woman specifically, I immediately am drawn to that person. And we are immediately drawn to each other, and a shorthand develops.</p><p>So the Riley character was that; I wanted to give Abby that. I wanted to give her a comfort there in a situation that was challenging. I am friends with so many queer women. And we have like a very special connection, a very special relationship. But that doesn’t mean that when I’m, like, hitting a rough patch in my romantic relationship that I’m gonna go run off with them. Even if it is Aubrey Plaza!</p><p>Maybe you haven’t seen, but there are entire posts about how clearly Abby should run off with Riley. Is that a surprise?</p><p>I think that has less to do with the movie and more to do with your philosophy on growth and forgiveness. Writing this movie from the perspective of a 43-year-old woman who has not always been my best self — it was a long, windy, messy road to get to the person I am now. I’m very proud of the person I am now, but I haven’t always been that person. It’s understanding that sometimes you have to go low so you can figure out your way back up. And I understand the impulse to just cut and run, and be like, to hell with this. But I also really believe that people can get better, people can grow, and people can change. They can recognize that maybe their behavior is not as good as they know it can be, and that they make a conscious effort to change it.</p><p>I also believe that being closeted is really painful. It’s not an easy place to be. And I think having compassion for someone in that situation is really important. The character of Harper is someone who I think feels a lot of shame about it — she feels bad. None of this is, like, easy for her, you know?</p><p>I’ve spent four years with Harper — I feel like I understand her, and I love her so much. And I think she’s worth it. I want what’s best for all the characters in the movie. And I think the message that you can mess up, and that you can do the work and get better is really important. And be kind to yourself, and have compassion. Because I think compassion is in short supply.</p><p>Yes.</p><p>And it is really like such an important human characteristic, and one that I didn’t have for a long time. And one that as I got older, I sort of developed. It’s something I had to work on. And now I’m so compassionate that I cry at commercials all the time. I cry at, like, the Dodo video of the people who left their dog at the house when they moved. I just can’t get over why anyone would make that choice! I just cry and cry. And my partner looks at me, like, “What are you doing?”</p><p>To that end, I saw a lot of hate toward Harper not only for getting Abby into this situation in the first place, but that her first reaction is to say, “I’m not gay!” after she’s outed by her sister Sloane (Alison Brie). Can you talk about how you and Mary wrote that scene?</p><p>It was really the moment of just the ultimate regression. As soon as they get to the house, she begins to regress little by little, and slip back into that old family dynamic. And by the time that happens, she is at peak fear. To be outed in that way is really intense. Sloane is also regressing. The moment that she does it, she realizes, “Oh my God, what did I just do? </p><p>Harper has the reaction, and then is hit with the repercussions instantly. It’s her bottom, you know? She’s hitting bottom in that moment. All of the old behaviors, all of the family of origin stuff comes not just bubbling up to the surface, but like a geyser flying through. It’s a very painful moment that ultimately is the catalyst for her breaking free from that behavior, and making the choice that she never had the strength to make before. It’s extreme.</p><p>When you and I first talked, you said Harper’s struggle with going home and closeting herself made the character “the hardest part in the whole movie.”</p><p>It’s humanizing this experience that I think not a lot of people have seen unless they have been through it. You’re meeting her on the worst four days of her life when she is not herself. It was challenging in writing her, but also even when we were working with wardrobe — because she’s not going to go home in her regular clothes, because her mom will pick those apart. She is trying to emulate the person her parents want her to be. Being able to get all the nuances and make it feel authentic, and make it feel grounded — it’s challenging.</p><p>She’s wearing a huge coat in the opening scene, but her wardrobe is more vintage, less fitted. It’s more of the real Harper. And then imagining her getting ready, packing her suitcase, and thinking, “What is my mom not going to give me a hard time about?” Tipper even buys Harper a dress that looks identical to a dress that Tipper wears in the movie. Her parents are constantly trying to subtly and not so subtly turn her into the person that they want her to be, so she’s looking at everything through that lens. I think that is a very real thing. Whether you’re queer or not, parents who are sort of curating their children at all times is really suffocating.</p><p>There are a fair number of gay men I know who found themselves surprisingly attracted to Aubrey Plaza’s performance as Riley — one of the fed me this question, in fact! Did you have a feeling that people would be drawn to her character in that way? I mean, this is a whole new thing for her.</p><p>Because she’s so magnetic?</p><p>Yeah.</p><p>I don’t think that you ever really think, like, everyone’s gonna fall in love with something. I didn’t think about that. I knew that people would love her in the movie. I knew she was amazing. And yeah, she’s a babe!</p><p>When I interviewed Kristen Stewart, she talked about how the couple needs to be under threat, but duh, it’s a romcom, of course they stay together. But was there any moment during the process of writing this story when Abby ends up alone?</p><p>No. That’s very interesting, though. Like, hmm — I’m suddenly taking myself on a journey of that alternate ending. </p><p>I mean, that would be a weird romcom, I guess.</p><p>I don’t think it’s that weird. It’s sort of like “My Best Friend’s Wedding.”</p><p>Would you want to do a sequel? All those Netflix holiday romcoms all get sequels — why not this one? </p><p>I would love to do a sequel.</p><p>Do you have any ideas?</p><p>I mean, I have a couple of ideas. We all had such a great time making the movie that we were talking about it then. But it was also just like, who knew if anybody would care about the movie or not? So I definitely am more than open to it.</p><p>People are going to be happy about that, especially if there’s a Riley spinoff sequel! Clea, this is the first feature centered on lesbians that has gone viral like this. How does that feel?</p><p>I don’t really even understand what viral means. I actually make that joke a lot in our house. Like, I’ll get two text messages, and I’ll be like, “I’ve gone viral.” I’m really just so thrilled that people are watching the movie and are affected by it, and having conversations about it. There’s been so little visibility that for something like this to come out and be so visible and so seen and wanted to be seen by so many people — it’s very humbling. It’s really wild.</p><p>This interview has been edited and condensed. And Adam B. Vary — the gay man who is attracted to Riley — contributed to this report.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Article by: <a href="https://variety.com/2020/film/news/happiest-season-director-clea-duvall-interview-1234843292/" target="_blank">Kate Aurthur</a> for Variety.</p></div>'Umbrella Academy' and 'Juno' Star Elliot Page Comes Out as Transgender and Non-Binaryhttps://californiafilm.net/profiles/news/umbrella-academy-and-juno-star-elliot-page-comes-out-as-transgend2020-12-01T23:21:43.000Z2020-12-01T23:21:43.000ZElla Christiansenhttps://californiafilm.net/members/EllaChristiansen<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8238209063,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8238209063,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="8238209063?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p>"I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self," Page shared in a statement on Tuesday.</p><p>Elliot Page, the Oscar-nominated actor who has starred in Juno and The Umbrella Academy, has announced he is transgender.</p><p>Page, formerly known as Ellen Page, shared the news on social media, expressing "overwhelming gratitude" for those who have supported him.</p><p>"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," he wrote.</p><p>Page asked "for patience" following his announcement, noting "my joy is real, but it is also fragile." The actor shared the fear of invasiveness over their news, as well as concern over discrimination and violence fueled by the fact 40 transgender people have been murdered in 2020 alone.</p><p>"To the political leaders who work to criminalize trans health care and deny our right to exist and to all of those with a massive platform who continue to spew hostility towards the trans community: you have blood on your hands. You unleash a fury of vile and demeaning rage that lands on the shoulders of the trans community, a community in which 40% of trans adults report attempting suicide. Enough is enough. You aren't being 'canceled,' you are hurting people. I am one of those people and we won't be silent in the face of your attacks," they wrote.</p><p>"I love that I am trans. And I love that I am queer. And the more I hold myself close and fully embrace who I am, the more I dream, the more my heart grows and the more I thrive. To all the trans people who deal with harassment, self-loathing, abuse, and the threat of violence every day: I see you, I love you, and I will do everything I can to change this world for the better," Page wrote at the end of his statement.</p><p>Page's wife, dancer Emma Porter, shared support on her own Instagram account, writing "I am so proud of @elliotpage. Trans, queer and non-binary people are a gift to this world. I also ask for patience & privacy but that you join me in the fervent support of trans life every single day. Elliot’s existence is a gift in and of itself. Shine on sweet E. Love you so much."</p><p>Page uses both he/him and they/them pronouns and describes himself as transgender and non-binary, meaning that their gender identity is neither man nor woman.</p><p>Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Page worked in Canadian television before making his first stateside splash in 2005 revenge-thriller Hard Candy. He then played Kitty Pryde, aka Shadowcat, in 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand. But it was their starring role in Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody’s indie Juno, that cemented their stardom and earned him an Academy Award nomination. Other notable roles for Page include Christopher Nolan's Inception and Netflix's The Umbrella Academy. Last year, Page made his directorial debut with the documentary There's Something in the Water, which focuses on environmental racism faced by indigenous and African Nova Scotian women.</p><p>Netflix announced in November that it was handing out a third-season renewal of The Umbrella Academy, where Page stars as Vanya Hargreeves (and ultimately, The White Violin). Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Page will continue in the role and that Netflix is in the process of updating Page's name on all titles on the service in which he's involved. The streamer also congratulated Page following their announcement, writing on Twitter, "So proud of our superhero! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT! Can't wait to see you return in season 3!" The Umbrella Academy's own account shared the same sentiment on Twitter. </p><p>Many in Hollywood were quick to support Page on social media, including Natasha Lyonne, Miley Cyrus, Emmy Rossum, Olivia Munn, and Alyssa Milano.</p><p>Pop band Tegan and Sara Quin wrote on Twitter, "Your strength, bravery and activism - not to mention all the art you contribute to this earth - is truly special. Thank you for being so open about your journey and for fighting so hard to make the world a better place,"</p><p>Kevin Smith offered up some fan love for Page on Twitter, writing "I’m so happy for you! (Elliot’s one of the only actors I’ve ever fanned-out over in person. Cannes ‘06, I was using the WiFi in the hotel lobby the morning after the XMen3 premiere. I saw Elliot quietly reading and had to go over to bug him and gush.)"</p><p>Guardians of the Galaxy 3 director James Gunn tweeted, "Elliot, I love you, am proud of you, and admire you. Please keep being a beacon of courage, compassion, and strength for all of us." </p><p>"Elliot Page has given us fantastic characters on-screen, and has been an outspoken advocate for all LGBTQ people," said Nick Adams, GLAAD’s Director of Transgender Media. "He will now be an inspiration to countless trans and non-binary people. All transgender people deserve the chance to be ourselves and to be accepted for who we are. We celebrate the remarkable Elliot Page today."</p><p>Page came out as gay in 2014, making the announcement in a deeply personal speech delivered before several hundred attendees at Time to Thrive, a conference to promote the welfare of LGBT youth held at Bally's Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.</p><p>"I'm here today because I am gay," Page told the audience, "and because maybe I can make a difference, to help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility. I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission. I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered. And I'm standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain."</p><p>Since their public coming out, Page has become one of Hollywood's most outspoken advocates for the LGBTQ community, serving as host of Vice's travel series Gaycation (in which Page visited cities around the world and explored different perceptions of LGBTQ culture) and taking on the role of an out gay woman in Freeheld, a romance drama centered on the fight for gay rights.</p><p> </p><p>Article by: <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/elliot-page-formerly-known-as-ellen-page-comes-out-as-transgender-non-binary" target="_blank">Sharareh Drury</a> for the Hollywood Reporter.</p></div>