Alessandra de Rossi has never been one to take the easy road. After making her directorial debut with “My Amanda” in 2021, she returns behind the camera this year with “Everyone Knows Every Juan,” a bold drama-comedy opening October 22, that challenges norms.
Note her sophomore effort gathers a cast that reads like a roll call of Philippine cinema’s finest.
For de Rossi, the film is a passion project years in the making. “This is a dream come true for me,” she says. “We shot this in just two days but rehearsed extensively. We attempted a long continuous take—something rarely seen here. It was a huge challenge, but everyone was up to it.”
Her ensemble brings both weight and texture to the film. Gina Alajar, a former child star turned grand-slam Best Actress winner, has long been considered one of the most formidable talents of her generation. Joel Torre, acclaimed internationally for his Best Actor win at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea for “On the Job,” lends his intensity to the role of a washed-up rock star. Edu Manzano, a veteran actor and television host recently honored with the Distinguished Lasallian Achievement Award, injects both wit and gravitas as the eldest sibling.
De Rossi admits she felt the pressure of directing such heavyweights. “I wasn’t really starstruck because I’ve worked with most of them before, except Joel. Doon medyo nangapa ako. But he was kalog din naman pala like the rest so, everything gelled perfectly.”
Her actors, in turn, are quick to return the admiration.
Alajar reflects, “I am so proud of Alessandra. I was secretly hoping to work with her again, so being part of this film makes me happy.”
Manzano adds, “It’s hard to say no to a project like this. It wasn’t easy, but it challenged the actor in me—and I’m proud of what we’ve done.”
At the heart of the film are the Sevilla siblings, as played by Manzano, Alajar, Torre, together with Ruby Ruiz, Ronnie Lazaro, and de Rossi herself, who reunite at their ancestral home one year after their mother’s death.
What begins as an obligatory gathering quickly unravels into a combustible mix of secrets, resentments, and revelations—set against the claustrophobic backdrop of one unforgettable night.
With additional performances from Angeli Bayani, Kelvin Miranda, Jaime Fabregas, and JM De Guzman, “Everyone Knows Every Juan” promises both humor and heartbreak in equal measure.
But more than the fireworks of family drama, it is de Rossi’s daring vision—anchored by a cast of icons—that makes the film one of the most anticipated local releases of the year.
