René Martin
Quick Facts
Biography
René Martin is the pen name of Latin American author and financial director who held high positions at several major international banks and received Honorius titles from one Brazilian and two American states (Rio de Janeiro, Oklahoma, and Georgia). He has written 46 novels which have been published in hard or soft cover along with many short stories–primarily in the genres of spy, detective, western, and science fiction. Four of his novels were made into full-length movies, the most famous being “The Treasure of Zapata” (1968).
Many of René Martin’ short stories were published by newspapers in Brazil such as O Dia and A Notícia, and detective magazines like X-9, Meia-Noite and James Bond(Rio Gráfica e Editora–a publishing house associated with TV Globo). He also appeared in an annual selection of writers named Terry Carr Collection (CEDIBRA–associated to the Spanish Editorial Bruguera) and HOJE, published by Livraria Francisco Alves Editora.
René Martin wrote his first short story when he was 16 years old, under the title “I Owe to the Justice”, later republished under a new title “The Alibi”. Being a great admirer of the early 20th century French writer Maurice Leblanc, who developed the character named “Arsène Lupin”, he created and wrote a series of short stories featuring an international criminal mind named “Alfred Lèverge”.
Characters developed by René Martin include
- Agent Allan Ward–British secret agent,
- Vic Parr, the Adventurer–an anti-hero who emerged from the Korea War and lived in New York in the 80s, appearing in 16 soft covert books,
- Sy Chadler–private eye,
- Theodore James Whitman–an operative agent belonging to the UPR (UFO Phenomena Research), who coordinates the cover-up of UFOs and alien activities in our planet - first appeared in the book entitled “Cosmic Controllers” (2008).
Reviews of René Martin
- An ingenious intrigue writer, with a quick and fast style format.
- Editions Gallimard
- The movie “The Treasure of Zapata”, based on book with same title by René Martin, may compete in the international market.
- Variety (Film Reviews)
- “Cosmic Controllers”, by René Martin, is a fictional work involving real facts. First time ever, a most-read.
- A.J.Gevaerd–Editor of Magazine UFO (Brazil)
- “Fanatics”, a spy novel by René Martin, presents an interesting and realistic plot.
- O Globo Newspaper
- The Movie “The Free Flight of the Nocturne Bird”, from screenwriter René Martin, holds the audience attention up to the end.
- O Dia Newspaper
- The work entitled “The Treasure of Zapata”, by René Martin, made great success and became a movie.
- Folha de S.Paulo Newspaper
Individual reviews
- “Cosmic Controllers”, by René Martin, is an encyclopedia on Ufology.
- Gilda Moura, psychologist and author of the book entitled ‘Conscience Transformers’””
- The quantity of information in “Cosmic Controllers” obliges me to begin all over again a few times. It is a unique work.
- Barthô Andrade, movie director
I can’t stop admiring René Martin’s talent for transmitting real information within a fictional plot without allowing both to collide ... I learned a lot on the UFO questions... It is hard to believe that the plot is not based in real people... Rodrigo Pereira, co-author of “Anthony Steffen”, journalist and Brazilian movie researcher.
René Martin was a screenwriter on UFOs. He also organized and participated in the “First Ufology Seminar” in São Paulo, Brazil, which featured the Galileo of Ufology, Dr. J. Allen Hynek. Hynek, an American astronomer who was part of the group investigating UFO activities in the United States under the name Project Blue Book, created CUFOS(Center for UFO Studies) and René Martin became a representative for the organization’s bulletin. He was the editor of a magazine on UFO phenomena for three years, and a member of the editorial council of the UFO magazine in Brazil published by A.J.Gevaerd. Under his real name, René Martin published articles on the subject of UFOs, as well as another article on the “Fatima Miracle” in Portugal (1917) in Vimana Journal, published by Marco Antonio Petit”. For many years, René Martin has spoken on UFO activities and their cover-up.. Currently, René Martin’s professional activities divide his time between the United States, Latin America and Europe.
Filmography
Theatrical movies
- Sadist Ecstasy (1973)–thriller based on novel titled "The Free Flight of the Nocturne Bird", published by CEDIBRA (Editorial Bruguera, Spain),
- Twenty Footsteps to Die (1970) - western
- Incredible, Fantastic, Extraordinary (1969)–terror short stories based in a famous nationwide radio program created by Almirante
- The Treasure of Zapata (1968)–western, based in book with the same title, published by CEDIBRA (Editorial Bruguera, Spain),
- Latest screenplay: "Red Card" (2001)
Documentaries
- UFO Document (1979)
- UFO Research (1979)
- Flying Saucers Do Exist (2003)
Both documentaries, based on screenwriting by René Martin, were directed by Barthô Andrade, a graduate of the Institute des Hautes Etudes Cinematographiques (I.D.H.E.C.) - Paris, who was the assistant director to Marcel Camus on the movie “Black Orpheus”. The documentaries focused on UFO studies in Brazil, and presented interviews with international-renowned UFO field investigators including Irene Granchi, Flávio A. Pereira and Gal. Moacyr Uchôa, as well as witnesses that saw and filmed UFOs in the capital of Brazil (Brasília) and in nearby Goiás State in Brazil One of the films displayed for the first time a UFO hovering over Angra dos Reis region in Rio de Janeiro State. At the time, these documentaries were exhibited at Brazilian movie theatres nationwide, and copies were sold in 16mm e 8mm formats .