This DIY approach extended to the making of the documentary. “It was all done with Daniel's equipment. Inês [Coutinho – aka Violet, who assisted on the film] and me and João and Marco [Rodrigues – aka Photonz, who also assisted] would have hair ties pulling up the mics and stuff. It was all as DIY as you can get,” explained Guedes.
Paraíso depicts the golden age of ‘90s rave culture in Portugal while zooming out on some of its landmark moments, such as the international success of ‘Touch Me’. “I think when Portuguese media caught up to the club scene, it was already over, mainstream and slightly less interesting,” offered Mota of dance music’s commercial transition.
However, for Mota, there was a “B-side” to Paraíso. “We're always talking a lot about whether this is a documentary that we want to see, because some of those guys who achieved that level of popularity are right now personal trainers, or they work in stores, or they sell houses,” he stressed. “That’s the reality, and it’s also a really harsh criticism of the way Portugal treats its culture. And that's the saddest thing for me, it's not their fault, it’s just that Portugal doesn't handle its cultural beings. For us, culture is something that entertains us... and the governments keep on not supporting culture.”
Beloved Lisbon queer space Planeta Manas, founded in 2021 by the mina and Rádio Quântica collectives, is hosting its final party on 25th July. In a statement, the team said that they could no longer continue in its current space under the increased pressure from the police and Lisbon authorities. Find out how to support Manas here.
Paraíso will be screened on 9th May at Lisbon’s Cinema São Jorge and on 17th May at Cinema Passos Manuel in Porto, with other screenings in the works.
Check here for info on future screenings and watch the trailer for Paraíso below.
Find out how to support Rádio Quântica here.