“You must always be appearing. If you are not appearing, you are disappearing.”
- Jose Mojica
Marins, 1978
Introduction:
Coffin Joe disciples, horror fans and curious wayfarers – welcome to "Diary do Demonio!"These pages document my 2006 journey to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to play the young Ze do Caixao in the flashback sequence of Jose Mojica Marins’ long-awaited feature film, Encarnacao do Demonio.
For me, this was a dream come true. I worked with one of my heroes, played one of my favorite movie characters and tasted what it was like to be an international film actor – if only for one week.
I hope this diary will make you feel like you are there, side by side with me on the streets of Sao Paulo. Consider it proof that the impossible is possible, especially in the strange world of Coffin Joe.
- Raymond Castile,
Jan. 15, 2007
Raymond Castile, left, and Jose Mojica Marins pose on the set of Encarnacao do Demonio Nov. 29, 2006, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Read the diary:
Read about the premiere!
I saw Mojica and Dennison again, as well as many of the people I had met during my first trip.
I finished my week-long stay by appearing on Brazilian national television with Mojica and the seven actresses that play the "brides" of Coffin Joe.
Click the links to the right and follow me on another adventure into the strange world of Coffin Joe!
The official Encarnação do Demônio movie trailer from 20th Century Fox!
NEWS!
Dec. 4, 2010:
Synapse Films has announced its U.S. video release date for
Embodiment of Evil. The company will issue the film Feb. 8, 2011 in a
DVD/Blu-ray combo package with a list price of $29.95.Synapse Films product page for Embodiment of Evil
Nov. 24, 2009: Company president Don May, Jr. has announced that Synapse Films will release Encarnação do Demônio/The Embodiment of Evil on DVD and Blu Ray in the U.S. sometime in 2010. There could be a limited theatrical release prior to the DVD release.
July 3, 2009: Coffin Joe himself, José Mojica Marins, will make a rare North American appearance this month! Rue Morgue
magazine is hosting a special screening of At Midnight I'll Take Your
Soul in Toronto, with Mojica attending in person. Mojica
will hold a Q&A session after the film. This will be Mojica's first
appearance in Toronto. Doors will open at 9:30 p.m., July 27 at
the Bloor Cinema, located at 506 Bloor St. West. Tickets are $15.
For more information, visit www.rue-morgue.com.
AmazonUK is listing July 27 as the release date for the Embodiment of Evil DVD. Remember, this is a Region 2 PAL DVD.
Anchor Bay has released images of the new UK boxed DVD set, The Coffin Joe Collection. It apparently uses the painting from the December 2008 Rue Morgue magazine cover. I've seen reports that this set contains eight movies, but the box clearly lists nine films, including The Strange World of Coffin Joe, which some websites are omitting. AmazonUK lists July 27 as the release date for The Coffin Joe Collection. Again, this is a Region 2 PAL release.
April 6, 2009: Embodiment of Evil received its North American premiere this weekend at the CineFest 09 film festival in Philadelphia. Reportedly, the festival showed a digital copy of Embodiment rather than a film print. It was a last-minute addition to the festival's Danger After Dark lineup, replacing the film Hanger, which had print problems.
Meanwhile, I've received word from producer Paulo Sacramento that Embodiment will be screened at this year's Fantasia film festival, July 9-27 in Montreal. Fantasia is a highly respected event, accurately billing itself as "North America's premier genre film festival." This is very good news!
March 13, 2009: Happy 73rd birthday to José Mojica Marins!
March 1, 2009: Anchor Bay is scheduled to release Embodiment of Evil on DVD in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2009. It will be a PAL Region 2 release. Still no official word on a U.S. release, either theatrically or on DVD.
Jan.
11, 2009: Fox Films will release the Brazilian
edition DVD of Encarnação
do Demônio on Jan. 21. I will provide more details
when they become available.IFC has begun airing the new syndicated package of Coffin Joe filmes they licensed from One Eyed Films. On Jan. 2, they broadcast Hallucinations of a Deranged Mind. It was the same transfer used in the Brazilian DVD boxed set. They will show Strange Hostel of Pleasures at 12:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 16 (actually early Jan. 17, but I'm using IFC's schedule language.) Look for The Strange World of Coffin Joe, Finis Hominis and other Mojica films on IFC this year!
The
magazine Rue Morgue
has a
fantastic spread on Coffin Joe in their December issue. It
will
probably still be available at many Borders stores through January.
It is well worth your time and money to pick up a copy.
This is probably the best, most high-profile North
American
magazine coverage Coffin Joe has ever received. The most
recent
issue of City Slab
also has a good Coffin Joe story. And yes, I'm included in
both!My friend Nicole (her online handle is "coffinjoefan") has created an excellent English-language Coffin Joe fan site: CoffinJoe.net. It is probably the best American Coffin Joe site I've seen. It looks really sharp and the photo gallery is amazing. You will not see a more extensive collection of Coffin Joe images anywhere on the Net.
Sept. 28, 2008: After a long delay, I have updated this site to include new "diary" pages chronicling my return to Brazil for the premeire of Encarnação do Demônio. Check out the links above the trailer.
Also, the official movie Web site now has an English language option. Visit the new English site for The Embodiment of Evil.
Aug. 24, 2008: It has been a busy few weeks, so I am behind in my updates! Encarnação do Demônio is in theaters right now in Brazil. I had the great pleasure of going to Sao Paulo to attend the official premiere with Mojica, Dennison and the cast. It was a fantastic experience! I will post a report on this site very soon.
The producers are travling to Italy this week to take part in the Venice Film Festival, where they plan to line up international distribution. Hopefully they will return with news of a North American release! I will keep you posted.
The London-based company One Eyed Films has licensed eight Mojica films to IFC. In addition to the three Coffin Joe films the cable network has already broadcast, they will now add to their rotation The Strange World of Coffin Joe, Hallucinations of a Deranged Mind, Strange Hostel of Pleasures, Finis Hominis and the documentary The Strange World of José Mojica Marins. Very good news for North American Coffin Joe fans! The films will now be more widely seen than ever.
One Eyed Films is also developing an English-language Coffin Joe film, according to their Web site. The working title is Bitter Garden.
July 14, 2008: Encarnação do Demônio won a slew of awards at the Festival Paulinia de Cinema last week. As Dennison Ramalho reports on his blog, the movie won: the critic's choice award, best film, best cinematography, best editing, best art direction, best soundtrack and best sound editing. Congratulations to the cast and crew!
July 11, 2008: Encarnação do Demônio was shown to the public for the first time this week, receiving a terrific audience response. The film was screened July 9 at the Festival Paulinia de Cinema before an audience of 800 people. Mojica made a speech before the film, describing the years of struggle he endured to finally bring the film to completion. Dennison Ramalho reports on his blog that the film received an incredibly enthusiastic response.
June 27, 2008: Co-writer/assistand director Dennison Ramalho reports on his blog that the final edit of Encarnação do Demônio is officially locked. He attended a 35mm screening with finished picture and sound. The movie is finally FINISHED. It opens in Brazil Aug. 8, 2008. As Dennison says in his blog, VAMOS DESTRUIR O MUNDO!
May 15, 2008: The OFFICIAL 20th Century Fox theatrical trailer for Encarnacao do Demonio (The Embodiment of Evil) is online. See it right here or on YouTube, or visit the official Encarnacao do Demonio movie site!
May 11, 2008: I have started adding episodes of Mojica's TV show to the Goodies page. The first two episodes of "O Estranho Mundo de Ze do Caixao" have aired on Canal Brasil. You can watch Program 1 here and Program 2 here.
April 2, 2008: The producers of Mojica's TV show have informed me that the premiere has been rescheduled for April 25 on Canal Brasil. They will upload the episodes to YouTube after they air. I will then post them on this site. See more previews HERE. The show looks like fun, especially the remote segments and the weekly curse. "As pragas mais cruel!"
March 17, 2008: Jose Mojica Marins will host a weekly television show premiering midnight, April 4 on Canal Brasil. The program includes studio interviews and remote segments. Watch the promo HERE.
Jan. 31, 2008: Dennison Ramalho reports that 20th Century Fox has announced Aug. 8, 2008, as the release date for Encarnacao do Demonio (The Embodiment of Evil). No word yet on whether this will be the Brazilian, US, or worldwide release date. Dennison says recording of the film's musical score began Jan. 21.
Oct. 23, 2007: Jose Mojica Marins is scheduled to present the trailer and a 25-minute "work in progress" reel for Encarnacao do Demonio on Thursday, Oct. 25, during the 31st Mostra Internacional de Cinema in Sao Paulo. The presentation will be followed by screenings of At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul and This Night I Will Possess Your Corpse.
Aug. 29, 2007: Several Brazilian news sources are quoting Jose Mojica Marins as announcing that Encarnacao do Demonio (The Embodiment of Evil) will officially premiere on his 72nd birthday, March 13, 2008.
Aug. 24, 2007: Jose Mojica Marins discussed his life, career and Encarnacao do Demonio (The Embodiment of Evil) with a live audience during the opening day of FilmeFashion in Sao Paulo. The annual festival focuses on the intersection of the fashion world and the cinema. Mojica was joined by David Parizotti, costume designer for Encarnacao do Demonio. Watch the event, called "Happening Ze do Caixao," HERE.
Also on Aug. 24, Jose Mojica Marins was scheduled to appear as Ze do Caixao during the Festival Cine Morbido at the Blackmore Rock Bar in Sao Paulo.
Aug. 14, 2007: The trailer for the new Coffin Joe film, Encarnacao do Demonio (The Embodiment of Evil), has been added to the Goodies page.
Aug. 8, 2007: The first trailer has appeared online! Watch it by following this link:
Encarnacao do Demonio TRAILER
It looks fantastic! But be warned. This trailer is NOT edited for general audiences. It contains graphic violence and nudity. Don't watch it at work or with children in the room!May 2007: 20th Century Fox has picked up Encarnacao do Demonio (The Embodiment of Evil) for distribution in Brazil, Latin America and Portugal.
