The Fadista
The Fadista
In this captivating short documentary by Rasmus Andersson, we enter the workshop and the world of Ze Casanova, a master fadista in Portugal. Ze is more than a musician—he is a craftsman who brings the fado to life twice over: first by building the instrument entirely by hand, and then by filling it with music that carries centuries of Portuguese tradition.
Film Maker
Rasmus Andersson
Sweden
Rasmus Andersson is a Swedish independent filmmaker based in Costa da Caparica, Portugal. Working in and around Lisbon, he creates films with a focus on cinematic storytelling, visual detail, and emotional resonance.
With experience spanning short films, complementary scenes, and commercial advertisement videos as well as documentaries, Rasmus works with professional cinema camera systems to craft images that communicate and stay with the viewer.
His work extends across cinematography, drone operation, and editing, often blending these disciplines to bring creative projects to life. For Rasmus, filmmaking is about shaping a cinematic experience that lingers.
Film Master
Zé Casanova
- Craft
- Fado Maker
- Country
- Portugal
Zé Casanova is a musician and luthier based in Costa da Caparica, Portugal. Deeply rooted in the tradition of fado, he not only performs this soulful music but also dedicates his craft to building the Portuguese guitars that give it voice. Each instrument he creates carries the mark of his hands and the echo of his heritage, blending artisanal skill with a profound love for music.
For Zé, playing and crafting are inseparable—two sides of the same devotion to fado’s spirit. His work preserves and renews a cultural legacy, ensuring that both the songs and the instruments continue to resonate for future generations.