The Island of Contenda (original title: O Ilhéu de Contenda) is a 1995 drama film directed by Leão Lopes.
Synopsis Cape Verde, 1964. At the feet of a mighty volcano, the traditional Cape Verdean society is undergoing a steady change. The old land-owning aristocracy is disintegrating. A class of mulatto begins to emerge, with a trade-based financial power that threatens the landlords. A new identity arises, a mix of old and new, of African and Portuguese culture, sensual and dynamic.
The songs of Cesária Évora follow this inevitable transformation with the beautiful landscape of Fogo, Cape Verde, as scenery.
The Island of Contenda was the first feature film to be produced with the financial support of the Cape Verde national film institute (Instituto Cabo-verdiano de Cinema) that no longer exists.
It is adapted from the novel by Henrique Teixeira de Sousa.
Cast João Lourenço – Eusébio Camacho Costa – Felisberto Luísa Cruz – Esmeralda Filipe Ferrer – Alberto Betina Lopes – Soila Cecília Guimarães – Nha Noca Marina Albuquerque Henrique Espírito Santo – Governor José Fanha – Carneiro Laurinda Ferreira – Alice Leandro Ferreira – Father Vitório Isabel de Castro – Nha Caela Teresa Madruga – Beliha Luís Mascarenhas – Inspector Mano Preto – Chiquinho Carlos Rodrigues – Augusto Foleiro Horácio Santos – Anacleto Diogo Vasconcelos Pedro Wilson – Dr. Vicente
Release The film was released in 1996 in Cape Verde
Festivals Cabo Verde International Film Festival Milan Film Festival, Italy (1997) Amiens International Film Festival, November 10, 1997
Awards Best Original Score at FESPACO – Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (1997) First Prize at Festival de Cine Internacional de Ourense, Spain (1997)
See also Leão Lopes Cinema of Cape Verde
References
External links
New York Times review