Scene
A new documentary exploring the history of rave and dance music in Portugal was released this week, on May 4th. The film, titled Paraíso, had its premiere at IndieLisboa, an independent film festival in Lisbon. It features first-hand accounts from 38 contributors, many of whom are considered pioneers of Portugal’s dance music scene.
Among those featured are Yen Sung, a longtime resident DJ at Lux Frágil, and Rui da Silva, known for the hit “Touch Me.” Internationally renowned DJ Danny Tenaglia also appears in the film; he famously remixed Underground Sound of Lisbon’s iconic track “So Get Up” and played at the 1994 rave held in a medieval castle in Santa Maria da Feira.
This captivating 78-minute documentary traces the roots of Portugal’s dance music movement, which began in the early 90s during the rise of rave culture. Paraíso is composed of hours of never-before-seen home video footage, transporting viewers backstage at underground parties and into the middle of massive 5,000-person raves held in castles. The extensive VHS archive was compiled from private collectors and national broadcasters.
The project was spearheaded by João Ervedosa, also known as DJ/producer Shcuro, and Maria Guedes, aka DJ and label owner Maria Amor. The documentary grew out of their Paraíso radio show on Lisbon’s Rádio Quântica, where they frequently interviewed key figures from Portugal’s dance scene, like Luís Leite. Many guests mentioned old flyers and footage they had stored at home, inspiring the idea for a visual documentary.
As reported by DJ Mag, Ervedosa emphasized that radio alone wasn’t enough to tell this story, as it lacked the crucial visual element. Guedes shared that they sifted through three large IKEA bags full of VHS tapes, uncovering party footage that featured the DJs they grew up with—along with some childhood celebrities dancing at castle raves.
The film captures the rich rave culture that defined 1990s Portugal, showcasing DJs, producers, dancers, and promoters who helped shape a movement that left a lasting mark not just on the Portuguese scene, but on global dance music culture. It’s currently showing in cinemas across Portugal, and updates on future screenings will be available here.
