Open Diaries (2009): The story of this movie centers on Karen, a 40-year-old writer who finds herself at a turning point in her personal life.
Open Diaries (2009) is an independent drama-romance film from Canada and Switzerland that explores love, desire, emotional freedom, and self-discovery. Directed by Sasha Anna Schriber, the movie follows a 40-year-old writer whose life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes involved with a considerably younger man. With its intimate storyline and mature themes, Open Diaries focuses more on personal emotions and relationships than on conventional romantic storytelling.
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Open Diaries (2009) Movie Overview
- Movie: Open Diaries
- Release Year: 2009
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Director: Sasha Anna Schriber
- Writers: Sasha Anna Schriber, Frederique Remy
- Production Countries: Canada, Switzerland
- Language: English
- Runtime: Approximately 85–90 minutes
- Production Company: Rainford Productions
- Main Cast: Tracy McMahon, Edwin Perez, Loriel Medynski, Marc Gaudet, Jenny Abel, Chelsea Emery
The film had its world premiere in October 2009 and later received screenings at several international film festivals. IMDb lists a U.S. release date of March 4, 2010.
Open Diaries Movie Summary
The story centers on Karen, a 40-year-old writer who finds herself at a turning point in her personal life. Although she appears to have an established adult life, she begins questioning her emotional needs, romantic expectations, and ideas about what society considers an acceptable relationship.
Karen’s circumstances change when she meets Alex, a much younger man. Their connection develops into a romantic relationship that forces Karen to confront feelings she may have previously kept under control. Rather than presenting their relationship simply as a conventional love story, Open Diaries uses it as a vehicle to explore personal freedom, attraction, emotional vulnerability, and the search for fulfillment.
As Karen becomes increasingly involved with Alex, the relationship creates new complications. The age difference and the expectations of people around them add pressure, while Karen must decide how much she is willing to risk in pursuit of a more authentic and emotionally satisfying life.
At its heart, Open Diaries is a story about self-discovery and challenging social expectations. Karen’s journey asks whether happiness should be determined by conventional rules or by an individual’s own understanding of love and fulfillment.
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Open Diaries (2009) Star Cast
Tracy McMahon as Karen
Tracy McMahon, also credited as Tracy Beemer in some databases, plays the central character Karen. Her performance anchors the movie around the emotional and personal journey of a mature woman navigating an unconventional relationship.
Edwin Perez as Alex
Edwin Perez portrays Alex, the younger man whose relationship with Karen becomes the central conflict and emotional focus of the story.
Loriel Medynski as Laura
Loriel Medynski appears as Laura, one of the supporting characters connected to Karen’s world.
Marc Gaudet as Sebastian
Marc Gaudet plays Sebastian, another supporting character in the film.
Jenny Abel as Jackie
Jenny Abel portrays Jackie. She is among the supporting cast members contributing to the film’s broader relationship-driven storyline.
Chelsea Emery as Sarah
Chelsea Emery appears as Sarah in the movie.
Other credited performers include Santana Alexis, Kris Carter, Michael Edwards, Dorthe Enger, Ashley Hand, Tyler McMaster, Conrad Nedelec, Frederique Remy, and Jordan Waunch.
Who Directed Open Diaries?
Open Diaries was directed by Sasha Anna Schriber, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Frederique Remy. Swiss Films credits Schriber as the film’s director and lists Chayse Irvin and Masayo Takada among the cinematography team.
The film was an independent production associated with Rainford Productions and was produced by Frederique Remy, Peter A. Schriber, and Sasha Anna Schriber.
Open Diaries Movie Availability
Finding Open Diaries (2009) through mainstream streaming services can be difficult because it is a relatively obscure independent film. Current availability varies by country and platform.
Filmweb’s current VOD listing indicates that the movie is not available on its tracked VOD services at present.
The film has, however, had an international festival presence, including screenings at the Montreal Festival du Nouveau Cinéma, Falstaff International Film Festival, Cairo International Film Festival, Monaco International Film Festival, Canada International Film Festival, and Shanghai International Film Festival.
Because streaming and digital licensing arrangements can change, viewers interested in watching Open Diaries should check major legal rental, purchase, and streaming platforms available in their region.
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Awards and Recognition
Despite being a relatively low-profile independent production, Open Diaries received recognition at several festivals. Swiss Films records a Royal Reel Award for Excellence in Filmmaking at the Canada International Film Festival and a Best Narrative Feature Actress award at the Los Angeles Reel Film Festival for Tracy McMahon. The film also received screenplay and directing recognition at international festivals.
Sasha Anna Schriber was also recognized with a Best Director award at the Falstaff International Film Festival, while the screenplay by Schriber and Frederique Remy received an award at the 2009 Angel Film Awards.
Final Thoughts
Open Diaries (2009) is an independent romantic drama built around an unconventional relationship and the personal transformation it inspires. Rather than relying solely on romance, the film examines questions of identity, emotional freedom, attraction, and society’s expectations about relationships.
For viewers interested in independent romantic dramas, mature relationship stories, and lesser-known international films, Open Diaries may be worth exploring. Its festival history and award recognition also make it an interesting title for audiences looking beyond mainstream cinema.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Open Diaries a 2009 movie?
Yes. Open Diaries is a 2009 drama-romance film produced in Canada and Switzerland. It premiered internationally in 2009.
Who plays Karen in Open Diaries?
Tracy McMahon, also credited as Tracy Beemer in some listings, plays Karen.
Who plays Alex in Open Diaries?
Edwin Perez plays Alex, the younger man who becomes romantically involved with Karen.
What is Open Diaries about?
The film follows Karen, a 40-year-old writer, as she experiences an unexpected romantic relationship with a much younger man and begins a journey of emotional and personal self-discovery.
Where can I watch Open Diaries (2009)?
Availability is limited and varies by region. Current VOD listings do not show the film as available on the services tracked by Filmweb, so checking legal streaming and rental platforms in your country is recommended.