"You’re the first person to raise this topic with me," the director told Attitude in a recent interview.

Pedro Almodóvar has shared that he chose not to include a prominent lesbian storyline in his new film, The Room Next Door, despite the allure of doing so. While many of his previous works, such as Pain and Glory, All About My Mother, and Bad Education, delve deeply into LGBTQ themes, his latest project adopts a more ambiguous approach.

In this Oscar-nominated film, Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore portray lifelong friends who reconnect as Tilda's character nears the end of her life. Though their relationship is filled with passion, it remains seemingly platonic. However, Almodóvar noted in his conversation with Attitude that their bond can be seen as an “almost romantic relationship” that could potentially evolve into love.

“There is this great intimacy that grows between these characters throughout the film,” the 75-year-old director explained. “It not only could be mistaken for love, but it could also potentially blossom into love.”

Almodóvar revealed that during the scriptwriting process, he considered having the two women become lovers but ultimately decided against it, believing that avoiding this choice would make the film more original. “It is true that at one point, I had the temptation to make them lovers, but I felt it would be more original not to do so,” he stated, acknowledging the existence of an “almost romantic relationship” between them.

He elaborated that the characters are spared the complications that a physical relationship would entail.

When asked about the film's portrayal of "romantic friendships" and the intense love Ingrid and Martha share, Almodóvar remarked, “You’re actually the first person to bring this up. It’s true that there’s a significant intimacy that develops throughout the film. They don’t have to deal with the inconveniences of a physical love. The film really speaks to our ability to simply sit with someone, to accompany them, even in silence. It’s a profound gift we can give one another.”

He reflected on how Tilda’s character seems to be reincarnated in Julianne’s by the film’s end, as Julianne’s character begins to express traits and messages Tilda never communicated, showcasing a deep bond that transcends physical love.

Almodóvar also discussed the vibrant color palette of The Room Next Door, stating, “I didn’t want a dark tone to overshadow the film. I aimed to convey vitality, particularly that of Tilda's character. I wanted it to be an optimistic film. This story revolves around a character who has made a decision, serving as a lesson for Julianne’s character, who evolves throughout the film, learning to savor every moment and live in the present.”