In Dialogue: Eric Marinho ('23)

With The Life Force, filmmaker and actor Eric Marinho (‘23) explores reincarnation and generational trauma through a story rooted in cultural mythology. Recently awarded Best Drama and Best Production Design, the film marks a creative milestone in Eric’s artistic journey.

The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Your film, The Life Force, has been making the rounds. Tell us about it.

It’s a movie about reincarnation and love. In it, a father tries to break a generational curse from the 1800s. It’s a unique blend of cultural mythology, spiritual themes, and personal trauma. The story explores how we carry and ultimately heal from intergenerational wounds.

Why this film right now – what makes it significant?

I’ve been working on and making my own short films for a while now. This film is unique in its structure. At one point, she’s performing on stage, and the next moment, she wakes up inside this facility where all the research about her family is laid out. She sees glimpses of her past life and a lost love her father prohibited her from having. It’s like Romeo and Juliet in that way.

I worked on the creative process: directing, writing, and post-production. It was an opportunity to express myself creatively through filmmaking.

And you’ve received some awards for your work.

I received Best Production Design at the Silicon Beach Film Festival, and Best Drama at the Golden State Film Festival. The Golden State had the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for a venue, with a red carpet and every award was announced one after another. I got a chance to talk about the film a bit. I’m still on that post-filmmaking high.

The films there had really high-quality production value–helicopters, drone shots–I was so blessed to be there.

My hometown in Brazil published a story about me. They highlighted the film and the awards. It felt really good.

What makes you eager to do the work? What is it that fuels you artistically?

Since I was a kid, I have felt this calling. Back in a small town in the middle of Brazil, I felt this calling. I started performing with a circus and practicing martial arts. I traveled for two years with a circus ring called the Ringling Brothers, and then I landed in LA and started doing commercials. I had been these stunts and landed a gig as a stunt guy…I got a voucher for SAG. I’m 2014, I decided I was going to do my own thing, and started writing my own material. I wrote, filmed, and edited these with friends. Each one gave me some more confidence and inspired me.

What's next for you, and where can people find out more about you?

I’m working on another script, with some Brazilian and martial arts influence to it. I’m eager to produce my first feature film. At the same time, I’m working on my acting career, and keeping that going. I want to be able to this with my eyes closed. [Laughs.]

Find out more about Eric’s career on IMDb.