PROFILES
The actress is taking the road less travelled.
Ellen Page and Angelina Jolie are two stars who live life on their own terms.
ELLEN PAGE HAS just returned from a stroll with her wife—Canadian dancer- choreographer Emma Portner—and their dog, Patters, a three-and-a-half-year-old rescue Jack Russell mix, when we reach her on the phone in her current home base of New York. “I’m a walking maniac,” laughs Page. “I don’t know why. I was asking my wife that this morning, like, ‘Dude, why do I love walking so much?’”
If you live in Toronto, chances are you may have even seen the 32-year-old last year on one of her countless strolls (she and Patters are partial to High Park) between filming scenes of Netflix’s new superhero drama, The Umbrella Academy (co-starring Mary J. Blige and Game
of Thrones’ Tom Hopper). The graphic-novel adaptation—Page’s first major TV role in 15 years—follows the seemingly ordinary Vanya (Page) and her six superpowered adoptive siblings as they reunite upon the death of their eccentric father and—minor detail here—the eve of the apocalypse.
It’s a superhero series, yes, and one that can easily be compared to Page’s first comic-book franchise, X- Men. ( She played Kitty Pryde.) But it’s also an oddball family drama with a quirky tone, which is why the Oscar nominee was eager to do it. We’ve seen her in festival faves like 2007’s Juno and blockbuster fare like Inception, and now with a big 2019 ahead (she’ll also star in Netflix’s revival of Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City), there’s a clear sense that Page is finally taking on Hollywood on her own terms. So, why The Umbrella Academy? “I read the pilot and burned through it. It was like nothing I had ever read before—just such an interesting take on the genre. The core of the show, to me, is this family, these siblings, who are all actually really wounded people who’ve had these crazy childhoods. It’s a deeply human, intense story.” If you could have one of the superpowers from the show, which would you pick? “I would want the rumours power, which is basically where I would say—and don’t worry, I’d never do this to you—‘I heard a rumour you can’t write,’ and then you wouldn’t be able to write. You can use it for some really awesome, positive stuff. You could go up to certain people and be like, ‘Hey, I heard a rumour that you’re full of love and kindness’ or ‘I heard a rumour that climate change exists.’ [ Laughs] You could really use it for good.” You’ve been working steadily since you were 10. What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career? “How to stand up for myself. Shouldn’t we actually encourage people, particularly young people, to feel like they’re in an inclusive space? But, no, they’re not the priority. And, obviously, the stupid shit that was put into my head about the industry and being gay.” How did you learn to stand up for yourself? “I grew stronger. I didn’t feel afraid of what people were going to think of me—I’m not ashamed of who I am. But it took a while, whether it was just standing up for what I wanted a character to wear or whatever. You wouldn’t believe what’s been said to me. And it wasn’t that long ago, just post-coming out [in 2014]. It blows my mind what people think is appropriate.” Do you ever think about writing or directing? “I do, for sure. I have always wanted to direct. More and more lately, to be honest, I’m interested in non-fiction, particularly after two years of making Gaycation [the Viceland docuseries co-hosted by Page]. I tend to think more in the documentary space now. We’ll see!” So, next up, documentaries; but first... more walking? Do you get back home to Nova Scotia often? “Once in a while. I’m going to try to go more. I love to get to the woods. [Laughs] I’m that person. When I’m there, I’m just a better person.” ®
“I’m not ashamed of who I am. But it took a while, whether it was just standing up for what I wanted a character to wear or whatever.”
HOW DOES ONE PREPARE to meet Angelina Jolie? “I didn’t know what to expect,” says Guerlain master perfumer Thierry Wasser of his first meeting with the accomplished actress, filmmaker, humanitarian and partner of the French luxury brand on its line of Mon Guerlain fragrances, which celebrate women. “But I discovered an amazing human being who is working her soul for sisterhood.” It’s not an overstatement: Jolie has used her longtime role as special envoy to the United Nations’ refugee agency to advocate for an end to sexual violence and is a co-founder of the British government’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative. In 2017, she co-authored an op-ed in The Guardian calling the indifference to violence against women “humanity’s shame,” and last year she penned a piece for The Economist on the growing refugee crisis.
And despite her A-list status, Jolie always keeps the spotlight on her causes, not herself. When asked how she handles the weight of working on such injustices without feeling consumed by it, the mother of six tells us: “I don’t ever think of it being about me or my feelings. It is about the reality of life for so many people and our responsibility to do whatever we can to help others in our own way. But if we didn’t all have that inner sense of what is right and wrong and if we weren’t angered by injustice, we would never change anything.” Here, the 43-year-old star reflects on the importance of International Women’s Day (March 8) and what it means to her. You have so many projects to choose from; why was working with Guerlain one you said yes to? “I’d never endorsed a perfume before and wouldn’t unless I was sure we share the same values. They have a genuine commitment to the environment and the communities they work with. I love the history of the company—it’s the oldest perfume house in the world and has been making fragrances for women for 200 years.” How much of a role has fragrance played in your life? “I think for all of us, scent has the power to evoke memories and feelings. My mother used a Guerlain powder that she kept for special occasions. I remember it very clearly from my childhood. Guerlain tracked it down for me, and it instantly brought back memories of her.” What does International Women’s Day mean to you and why is it important to mark this day? “It is about recognizing the equal right of all women everywhere to lead a life free of any kind of violence, oppression or control by others. It is about valuing all women equally and not accepting the idea that some women are denied their rights simply because they were born in certain countries. I think there is a fundamental misconception that rights for women come at the expense of men. A society in which women are free and equal is better for everyone.” What do you recommend to women who feel overwhelmed by fighting injustices in their own lives? “I feel deeply for them. There aren’t enough laws and protections for them.” What do you want your daughters to know about heading into womanhood? “That they should never be afraid to say what they think or to fight for what they believe in.” ®