Private Project

Diaspora, Curiosity of Culture

  • Margarita Sotomayor Salgado
    Director
  • Emilio Luis Roman
    Writer
    Dead End Job, Old Cuban, Forest of Fools, Violent Ends, Rift n Red
  • Juan D Pantoja
    Producer
    Scream Test, Lost Island
  • Margarita Sotomayor Salgado
    Producer
  • Emilio L Roman III
    Producer
    Don't Eat the Bunny, Forest of Fools, Dead End Job, Old Cuban
  • Juan Pantoja
    Cinematographer
    A Perfect Family, Legacy of Love, Empath, Just Remember Me
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Social, cultural
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 19 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 1, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, Puerto Rico
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, Puerto Rico
  • Language:
    English, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, RED, BRaw
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.0
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Margarita Sotomayor Salgado

Margarita Sotomayor Salgado studied at Universidad de Puerto Rico. She worked in Puerto Rico as a performer. Once she moved to Florida she worked as a teacher, dancer, drama teacher, art designer, set designer and construction for over fifteen years. Her passion and curiosity for the arts took her to the world of film where she navigated through different positions making sure to learn as much as she could from every professional around her. Her dedication for learning about the industry, her organizational skills and attention to details helped her earn the trust of her coworkers and customers. She has participated in multiple shorts and films.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As a Puerto Rican, I have always been deeply connected to the stories of migration and the pursuit of a better future—stories that are etched into the fabric of my own identity. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, I spent years working in a variety of artistic roles, from dancer and performer to set designer and educator. This journey led me to the world of film, where I discovered the power of storytelling as a means to bridge personal experience with collective history. With this project, I am not only telling the story of Puerto Ricans abroad but also confronting my own feelings about belonging, identity, and the ties that bind us to our roots.

Puerto Rican migration has been a recurring theme throughout the island's history. Since the 1950s, people have left seeking a better life—whether due to economic hardship, political strife, or natural disasters. While this pattern continues, I wanted to go beyond the simple narrative of escape and explore the emotional complexities that come with leaving—and, perhaps more importantly, returning. Why do so many Puerto Ricans, after years of being away, still hold a longing to return to their homeland? What does it mean to be a part of the Puerto Rican diaspora, and how does one maintain a connection to a culture that is geographically distant but emotionally very close?

The central thread of this documentary is the personal journey of Emilio Roman, a man who, like many Puerto Ricans abroad, has lost touch with his roots. Through his eyes, we explore what it means to rediscover a culture that is both foreign and familiar. His journey is not only one of self-discovery but also of connection—to family, to history, and to a place that continues to shape his identity, even though he has never fully understood it. As Emilio reconnects with his heritage, he becomes a reflection of the thousands of people around the world who share similar experiences of migration, displacement, and the search for meaning.

In crafting this documentary, I wanted to create a narrative that speaks to the heart of the Puerto Rican experience, but also one that resonates with a broader audience—people who have left their roots in search of a better life. It is a story of longing, identity, and the complexities of feeling "at home" in a place that is both yours and not yours. I wanted to explore how migration transforms not only the landscape of a community but the inner landscapes of the people who live it.

My approach was to focus on the humanity of this journey. As a filmmaker, I draw on my years of experience in theater and design to craft an immersive and intimate narrative, one that allows the audience to not just watch Emilio's journey but feel it. The cinematography, set design, and pacing all work together to reflect the emotional depth of the story, while also showcasing the beauty and resilience of Puerto Rico itself—the island that continues to pull people back, no matter how far they go.

Ultimately, I hope Diaspora, Curiosity of Culture invites audiences to reflect on their own journeys, whether they are physical, emotional, or cultural. I believe that at its core, this is a universal story about the places and people that shape us, and the unbreakable bond we carry with them—even if we're far from home.