Actress, singer, producer, and now director Roselyn Sánchez celebrates the release of her new film, “Diario: Mujer y Café,” a comedy that blends humor, emotion, and Puerto Rican pride. In an exclusive interview, Sánchez shared details about her creative process, the importance of Latin representation in film, and how she balances her professional and family life.
A love letter to the island
The inspiration for “Diario: Mujer y Café” came while Roselyn was filming her short film Satos in Puerto Rico. “I wanted to create a commercial film that showcased the beauty of my island,” she explained. “In many productions, Puerto Rico appears disguised as other places. I wanted it to be the star.”
The movie, with the spirit of Sex and the City and Girls Trip, follows four lifelong friends who embark on a weekend road trip across the island to reconnect with themselves and each other. The cast includes Angélica Vale, Marisé Álvarez, Karla Monroig, and Angelique ‘Burbu’ Burgos, with special appearances by Charitín Goyco and Clarisa Molina.
The film was a resounding success in Puerto Rico, breaking box office records and extending its theatrical run for several weeks.
From actress to complete creator
With this film, Roselyn solidifies her artistic independence as a director, writer, and composer. “It was a six-year process of blood, sweat, and tears,” she confessed. “This project is like my third baby.”
She recalled that her first experience as a screenwriter, Yellow, was “painful,” as she lost creative control. “I learned that I had to protect my vision,” she said. In Diario, she took full ownership of the project — even writing the film’s main song in just five minutes.
Life, family, and purpose
As a mother of two, Roselyn acknowledges the challenge of balancing her career and motherhood. “I travel a lot, and sometimes it makes me anxious, but I want my children to see a happy mom who loves what she does,” she said. She includes them in her projects — her son Dylan even shouted “action!” on set — and strives to teach them the value of work and independence.
Her husband Eric Winter, also an actor, supports her, though maintaining balance is “a constant negotiation.” Today, Sánchez chooses projects that fulfill her artistically and personally. “I no longer do things just for the sake of doing them,” she affirmed.
Empowerment and representation
Committed to equity, Roselyn made a deliberate choice to hire a female director of photography, emphasizing the need to open opportunities in a male-dominated industry. The film’s visuals have been praised by critics, confirming the success of her decision.
Finally, she issued a heartfelt message to the Latino community: “We must support content made by and for us. If we don’t buy tickets to see our stories, studios will think there’s no interest — and that closes doors.”
“Diario: Mujer y Café” premieres on October 10 in theaters across Kissimmee, New York, Chicago, and California, carrying a message of sisterhood, identity, and Latin pride.
More information and tickets: www.diariomujerycafemovie.com
