Joan Lopez-Flores is set to make a powerful debut in full-length filmmaking with her psychological thriller “What You Did,” a finalist at the 6th Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival, which officially opens today. This venture marks a significant turning point for the talented director, who has spent years honing her craft through short films, documentaries and advertising.
But, as The Manila Times learned in an interview with Lopez-Flores and her lead actor, this film is more than just a career milestone — it’s a deeply personal project that has allowed her to channel her firsthand experiences with trauma into a story that resonates with the struggles that many face in today’s digital age.
“What You Did” follows two young men, Arvin and Ace, as they confront childhood trauma and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic disrupts Arvin’s fresh start and reignites unresolved pain, while Ace seeks fame through an online persona. As they start a joint YouTube venture, the pressures of online success expose deep-seated wounds, forcing Arvin and Ace to confront their secrets and choices and ultimately lead them to explore their identity and find meaning in a world turned upside down.
With Lopez-Flores drawing inspiration from her own psychological hardship for the narrative, writing and directing the film became a form of catharsis for her and helped her process and transform her pain into art.
“When I finally got to finish the screenplay… I had this moment of intense emotion, like, ‘Wow, I’ve created an art form that expresses something deeply personal,” she conveyed.
Devoting a year to precise filming and two more to editing, Lopez-Flores proudly affirmed that Tony Labrusca — her “muse,” as it were and the actor who brings Arvin to life — is central to the film’s emotional depth. She discovered the Filipino-American actor through his role in the 2018 psychological thriller “Double Twisting Double Back” and was immediately struck by his ability to navigate complex psychological themes.
The filmmaker shared, however, that it wasn’t just Tony’s past performances that made him the right fit for this role — it was also his capacity to connect with the material on a personal level.
“I wanted to make sure that whoever would take on these roles would be very open and would also have the personality that matches the characters,” Lopez-Flores furthered. Her instincts proved right, as Tony apparently dove into the challenging dual roles with a commitment that impressed her immensely.
Director Joan Lopez-Flores knew from the start she chose the right actor to bring her first full-length film to life.
“You’ll remember I was sued three years ago by my best friend, which was very traumatic. It was all over social media, too. I won my case, but I almost had my career taken from me,” the actor related, refusing to go back to the details of the ordeal.
Nevertheless, Tony admitted that the role pushed him in ways he hadn’t experienced before. The pressure to deliver was even heightened by the fact that “What You Did” marks his first solo lead.”
But, thanks to his director’s guidance and support, the actor happily imparted, “I have to say this is one of the hardest projects I’ve done, but it is also officially the one I’m most proud of.”
Crediting his director for bringing out his “best acting piece by far,” Tony furthered, “She was always there for me every step of the way. Her vision for every character was clear, which really helped me a lot.”
As mentioned, beyond its exploration of childhood trauma, “What You Did” also delves into the pervasive world of social media, examining how the relentless pursuit of online validation can deepen existing psychological wounds. Lopez-Flores said she was inspired to weave this into the story by the current cultural climate, where many turn to platforms like YouTube and TikTok to cope with life’s challenges.
Reflecting on this trend, she observed, “So many people are turning to content creation as a form of escape, hoping it will be their saving grace.”
Challenging this head-on, Flores-Lopez quotes a line from the movie already released in the official trailer: “Hindi lahat ng viral, vital.”
“I can safely say that one lesson we want to pass on is that not everything that becomes popular on social media is important or significant,” the filmmaker averred, adding how that short but powerful line underscores the film’s cautionary tale about the dangers of chasing online fame at the expense of one’s mental well-being.
She is, therefore, confident that many young people will relate to the movie as she explained her broader intention behind tackling trauma within the context of the social media age.
“I think it’s inevitable in any writer’s or filmmaker’s journey that you tend to be a biographer when it’s your first film. But I didn’t want this movie to be just about me and my personal trauma, so I really separated it from myself with Tony’s character. I created a regular kind of guy who would go to great lengths to survive a crisis such as the pandemic.
“At the same time, I decided to connect it with something relevant today and saw so many people are turning to content creation. So, with so many people turning to these platforms, I knew that a character like this would resonate with audiences in that they’ll see their struggles reflected in the story, but also find much more to discover.”
As What You Did sees its world premiere this week, Lopez-Flores — who also makes history as the first female full-length filmmaker to become a finalist at Sinag Maynila — turns sentimental as she reflects on the deeply personal journey that has led her to this moment. For her, the film is more than a professional milestone; it’s a testament to the power of storytelling as a vehicle for healing.
Through her collaboration with Labrusca and her exploration of contemporary issues, she hopes her movie will prove to have met the goals she had set from the start — to craft a film that not only mirrors her own experiences but also encourages audiences to reflect on their own lives for the better.
What You Did also stars Epy Quizon, Mercedes Cabral, Ana Abad Santos, Mary Joy Apostol, Elle Ramirez, Ping Medina, Jim Pebanco, and Rap Fernandez.
The Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival runs from today until September 8 at Gateway Cinemas, SM Manila and other select cinemas in Metro Manila.
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