Interviews
Breaking the Spell: Felipe Marinheiro Talks To Us About Love, Mysticism, and Filmmaking.
As a São Paulo native now thriving in Los Angeles, Felipe Marinheiro‘s journey from watching films in independent theaters to creating his own has been marked by passion, perseverance, and an unrelenting drive to explore the complexities of human emotions.
He is on the path of carving out a niche for himself as a filmmaker.
His latest short film, “Fuck You, Cupid“, is a testament to his unique voice, blending elements of mystery, drama, horror, and comedy to create a narrative that resonates on multiple levels. In this interview with GhMoviefreak.com, Felipe shares insights into his creative process, the challenges he faced during production, and the personal experiences that inspired his exploration of the subjects of love and mysticism in his film “Fuck You, Cupid.”
1. Could you please tell us a bit about yourself and your journey as a filmmaker?
Felipe Marinheiro
My journey began in São Paulo, Brazil, where I grew up. My school was near a couple of independent movie theaters, so after school, I’d often catch two or three random films in a row. My parents were supportive but wanted to make sure I was serious about my passion, so I took many filmmaking courses and camps, and I fell in love with the craft. I got my BFA in Film and TV at DePaul University and then moved to LA to dive into the film industry. Now, I’ve written and directed several shorts, and I’m starting to see some festival success.
2. How has your experience in film and TV distribution, as well as writing for video games, influenced your approach to filmmaking and storytelling?
Felipe Marinheiro
Working in distribution has taught me a lot about trends and tricks to make films and shows more sellable. But shorts are different since they don’t have commercial expectations, so more artistic freedom. I also watch many indie films weekly, and it’s inspiring to see what people achieve with small budgets.
About video games, my first paid writing gig was for a game project. Writing for a client was different from my personal style, but it was excellent practice. It was fun to explore an interactive medium—it definitely expanded my storytelling toolbox.
3. How did you settle on the decision to make this film in a short film format?
Felipe Marinheiro
I always envisioned it as a short. I wanted to focus on Luna confronting Madame Maira, second-guessing the love spell she put on her boyfriend. I like that with shorts, you can dive right into the action—there’s no time for too much exposition or a full hero’s journey.
But now, looking back, I think it’s too short. That’s why I’m now thinking of making it a feature. While making Cupid, I developed the characters and backstories so much that I already have enough material—it’s fully outlined.
4. “Fuck You, Cupid” delves into the complexities of love and the influence of mysticism. What inspired you to explore these themes and how do they resonate to you personally?
Felipe Marinheiro
When I was writing Fuck You, Cupid, I had just started dating my girlfriend. I couldn’t get her out of my mind. Managing my feelings was overwhelming; I felt like she put a spell on me.
I love having this mystical perspective of the world; it fuels my writing. My mom recently revealed that when I was one year old, she took me to a psychic who told her I would be an artist. Here I am, trying to figure out if that was a vision or a curse.
5. What went into the creation of the character Luna and the dilemma she is faced with?
Felipe Marinheiro
Growing up in Brazil, I often saw signs and fliers on street poles promising to “Bring your ex-love back in 24 hours” or something similar. It always struck me as strange and manipulative to put a love spell on someone. Is this genuine affection?
Though, I wanted to bring a more skeptical perspective and add a layer of self-sabotage to Luna’s character. Did the spell really work, or was it all in Luna’s head? I definitely drew on my own overthinking and insecurities to create Luna’s character.
6. Can you share more about the creative process behind the film’s unique tone and style, blending elements like mystery, drama, horror, and comedy?
Felipe Marinheiro
I believe all good stories have multiple layers of emotion, but balancing them can be challenging. I wanted to fit so many ideas into a ten-minute short that I had to cut some comedic beats. A couple of my friends didn’t like the tone of the first draft, and I agree it was a bit unfocused, but I needed to trust my style. By focusing on Luna’s emotional journey, I naturally found room for mystery, drama, horror, and absurdity.
7. Can you tell us a bit about some of your collaborators on this project?
Felipe Marinheiro
Madison Vice is a brilliant actress and incredibly talented. She helped me throughout the entire process—not just with acting but also by giving notes on the script, location scouting, and production design.
It was my second time working with Nick Szubart, the cinematographer, and honestly, I don’t see myself working with anyone else in the near future. Besides having the technical knowledge that I don’t have, he is a great visual storyteller and a dear friend.
I’m so lucky to have someone who can heighten a scene’s emotional beats, like Theo Ammon does with his score. The film wouldn’t be the same without him.
I hope to work with this team many times in the future.
8. Can you describe a particular challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it?
Felipe Marinheiro
The first shot of the film starts with a table displaying all the clues from Luna and Liam’s backstory. To save costs, Madison found the perfect table on Facebook Marketplace. She gave me the address to pick it up, and after an hour and a half of driving, I couldn’t find the right house. Madison was at work, and I didn’t have the seller’s number, so I tried knocking on the door where the map pointed me. A giant pitbull jumped out of the shadows, barking and banging against the fence. Of course, I turned around—no table is worth my life. Luckily, a guy on the street pointed me in the right direction. I was two blocks away from where I was supposed to be.
9. What would you say has been the most rewarding aspect of creating this film?
Felipe Marinheiro
For my last two shorts, I organized private screenings just for the cast, crew, and my friends. Honestly, this is the most rewarding part—getting direct feedback from friends and sharing the film with the people who worked on it. But getting into LA Shorts and the press coverage that came with it was also incredibly rewarding.
10. What message do you hope audiences take away regarding this aspect of love and relationships?
Felipe Marinheiro
Don’t put a love spell on someone. Beyond magic, honestly, any type of manipulation. You can go on YouTube or TikTok and find so many videos with tips on how to make someone obsess over you—even small ones like “don’t text them right away” or “make them wait.” Do you really want a relationship to develop from tricks? How do you know if they like the real you? I think people should meet each other more open-heartedly, and as the kid says in the film, love comes from within.
10. Can you share with us any details on your feature projects?
Felipe Marinheiro
I have two features in the works. The Hound is a modern take on an H.P. Lovecraft story, set in LA’s underground art scene where grave-robbing artists unearth a deadly mystic amulet. It explores how art grapples with mortality and the desire for legacy. Silencio is a cabin-in-the-woods thriller, reimagining Brahms and the Schumanns’ love triangle with a paranormal twist of Faustian proportions. I’m excited to see where these projects lead!
11. Any final words for other emerging filmmakers?
Felipe Marinheiro
This is my favourite story, and I’ll tell it a million times. Maybe one day it will get to him. A few years ago, I had the chance to meet one of my favorite filmmakers, Robert Eggers. I asked him for advice and he said, “Make friends. Not just networking, but real connections. I couldn’t have made The Witch without the help of my friends.”
One of my biggest regrets in life is not asking him back, “So, Mr. Eggers, do you want to be my friend?”
As the budding filmmaker Felipe Marinheiro continues to push the boundaries of storytelling with his innovative projects, his advice to emerging filmmakers should be taken by all. Talent alone does not guarantee success, but connections and friendships formed go a long way to help achieve greater things.
His journey is certainly one to watch. With “Fuck You, Cupid” steadily getting recognised and his upcoming feature films that promise to delve even deeper into the human psyche, Felipe is a filmmaker to watch.
His ability to blend diverse genres into a cohesive narrative, coupled with his commitment to genuine storytelling, makes him a filmmaker poised to leave a lasting impact on the industry.
