Portugal
From an early age, Fábio Luís has been passionate about cinema. Growing up in Portugal, he was captivated by the raw energy of American B-movies, the stunning spectacle of Japanese tokusatsu, and the introspective nature of Portuguese films. It has always been his dream to combine these influences, creating something unique that bridges cultural and cinematic traditions.
That dream became a reality with The Old Man and the Demon Sword, a film that has been in development since Fábio’s teenage years. The project embodies everything he loves about cinema—larger-than-life heroes, intense action sequences, special effects, and deeper emotional threads that explore themes of friendship, mortality, and ambition. The film holds personal significance not only because it is a story long envisioned, but also due to the involvement of his close friend António da Luz, who starred in the film. António shared the same dream of filmmaking, and working together was a tremendous honor. His passing before the film’s completion was a devastating loss, but his presence and spirit are felt in every frame.
Visually, Fábio is drawn to contrasts, blending the surreal with the grounded to create worlds that feel fantastical yet emotionally authentic. His style is influenced by the practical effects of tokusatsu and the narrative playfulness of B-movies, always with a meta-textual element designed to provoke thought about the relationship between reality and fiction, and the role of cinema in telling stories.
Looking ahead, Fábio is excited to explore new creative ventures. He is currently developing a graphic novel inspired by his grandfather, an extraordinary man who, despite being blind, pursued his dreams and became a skilled accordionist. His life journey has always been a source of inspiration, and Fábio believes it is a story worth sharing. In addition, several other projects are in the works, soon to be unveiled.
“I’ve always been drawn to contrasts. I like to blend the surreal and the grounded, crafting worlds that feel fantastical yet emotionally real. My style pulls from tokusatsu’s practical effects and the narrative playfulness of B-movies, but there’s always a meta-textual element. I want my films to make people think about what they’re watching—how reality and fiction intermingle, how cinema itself can be part of the story.”
– Fábio Luís
