COFFIN JOE’S
SUBTERRANEAN
SECRETS

Legendary Director José Mojica
Marins Won’t Really Kill You

Interview By Christiano Abrahao
Photos and Stills Courtesy of Jose Mojica Marins
Portrait By Santiago Fernandez-Stelley
Translated By Peter Azen, Daniella Diniz, and Gisela Gueiros 24 Hours of Explicit Sex 48 Hours of Hallucinatory Sex À Meia-Noite Levarei Sua Alma At Midnight I’ll Take Your Soul Still from Encarnação do Demônio [The Embodiment of Evil] (2008) Vice: Do you come here a lot?

José Mojica Marins: Now that you’re here, I can’t tell if I’m honored or sad that you’re not wearing the Coffin Joe outfit. Do you generally wear it for interviews?
Did the government hassle you at all?
Your once-lengthy fingernails seem to be a few feet shorter now.
Coffin Joe in Brazil’s first horror film, À Meia-Noite Levarei Sua Alma [At Midnight I’ll Take Your Soul] (1964). Right: Stills from Encarnação do Demônio [Embodiment of Evil] (2008). Click to Enlarge Why did you, the director, end up playing the Coffin Joe character?
I’ve always been impressed with your casting of females, which cumulatively amounts to the best collection of gorgeous women in Brazilian filmmaking. What’s your secret?
Is it true you made actors submit to “bravery tests”?
You also love to employ spiders.
Esta Noite Encarnarei no Teu Cadáver This Night I Will Possess Your Corpse Still from Encarnação do Demônio That sounds like fun for everyone but your cast.
Cahiers du cinéma People have often said you are involved with the occult.
Do you have a name for your method of directing?
O Bandido da Luz Vermelha The Red Light Bandit Left: Still from Esta Noite Encarnarei no Teu Cadáver [This Night I Will Possess Your Corpse] (1967). Right: Stills from Encarnação do Demônio. Click to Enlarge How so?

Did it ever get out of hand on one of your sets? Kill them?