Director Real Florido confronts love’s realities in ‘Everything About My Wife’
Filmmaking often captures the intricacies of human connection, and for director Real Florido, this has been at the heart of his work for over a decade. His latest film, Everything About My Wife, goes beyond the usual rom-com tropes, delving into the complexities of love, commitment, and the unspoken struggles within relationships.
In a conversation with Young STAR, he shares what drew him to this story, how his approach to storytelling has evolved, and the deeper themes he explores beyond romance. He also recounts his experience working with an all-star cast, including Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo, and Sam Milby.
At first glance, Everything About My Wife presents itself as a lighthearted romantic comedy, but Florido was drawn to the story because of its deeper themes: commitment and what we do when we’re already tired of a relationship. The premise, he adds, is rooted in the ridiculous measures a person might take to “get out of a relationship that seems not to be working anymore.” One of the film’s more compelling angles is its discussion of the thin line between curiosity and cheating.
My guiding principle would always go back to telling a story that can inspire someone to see how beautiful life is.
“It’s (also about) family; the importance of having a strong support system when you’re having troubles or when you’re lost in all the chaos around you,” Florido adds.
Another major theme is healing. “When you’re in love, you’ll be able to feel a lot of things, not just the kilig or the good things, but also the pain,” he explains. “When two people are in a relationship, they encounter problems, and a lot of times, they’re not able to resolve them. So in the process, both are broken. So how do you heal and repair?”
Having worked in the industry for over a decade, Florido has always been drawn to stories that dissect human relationships. “The stories I want to tell are simple stories, yet they tackle the complexities of relationships,” he says. “Over time, I think I’m delving deeper and deeper into how we as human beings (can) connect and navigate our relationships.”
With a powerhouse cast, the film has no shortage of talent. For Florido, working with them was an effortless experience. “I’m very lucky to have mature, confident and experienced actors and human beings,” he says. “The three actors are beautiful people, and they brought that to the set. I didn’t have a hard time working with them.”
He credits their professionalism and openness as key factors in the film’s success. “It was such a breeze to work with these kinds of people who are very open, who are very serious with what they’re doing and very committed with work,” he shares. “The openness they have is something I’m very grateful for because they do not have that ego to judge the character or judge the way you envision the story as a director. They’re very collaborative.”
When asked about the mark he wants to leave on the industry, Florido admits that he’s still figuring it out. “At the moment, I’m still navigating that.” However, one thing remains clear: he wants his stories to mean something to the people who watch them. “My guiding principle would always go back to telling a story that can inspire someone to see how beautiful life is,” he shares. “Even if it’s just one person whose life is transformed for the better.”
Florido’s work has always been about digging beneath the surface, and Everything About My Wife is no different. As much as it entertains, it also forces audiences to confront the realities of love: how it evolves, how it challenges us, and ultimately, how it helps us grow.
***
Everything About My Wife is now showing in cinemas nationwide.
