The Island of Contenda

The Island of Contenda

110 mins | Drama | Jan. 1, 1996

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 "mulattos" 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. From the novel by Henrique Teixeira de Sousa.

The Island of Contenda

110 mins | Drama | Jan. 1, 1996

The Island of Contenda
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 "mulattos" 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. From the novel by Henrique Teixeira de Sousa.
Producers Instituto Português da Arte Cinematográfica e Audiovisual, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Instituto Caboverdiano de Cinema
Original title O Ilhéu da Contenda
Directors Leão Lopes
Writers Henrique Teixeira de Sousa, Leão Lopes, José Fanha

Cast

João Lourenço

as Eusébio

Luísa Cruz

as Esmeralda

Fernanda Alves

as Nha Mariquinha

Cecília Guimarães

as Nha Noca

Luís Mascarenhas

as Inspector

José Fanha

as Carneiro

Leandro Ferreira

as Father Vitorio

Isabel de Castro

as Nha Caela

Filipe Ferrer

as Alberto

Teresa Madruga

as Belinha

Betina Lopes

as Soila

Pedro Wilson

as Dr. Vicente

Horácio Santos

as Anacleto

Carlos Rodrigues

as Augusto Foleiro

Mano Preto

as Chiquinho

Camacho Costa

as Felisberto