The Island of Contenda

The Island of Contenda

1999 · 110 min · ★ 6.0 · Drama

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.

Directed by Leão Lopes · Written by José Fanha

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

3h 44m together

The Island of Contenda

The Postman

A close match in mood and era.

More from Leão LopesSee all →

More Like This

Pelle the ConquerorPelle the Conqueror · 1987
Pelle the Conqueror
7.31987
MovieDrama
In the late 19th century, two Swedish emigrants, Lasse Karlsson and his son Pelle, arrive on the Danish island of Bornholm hoping to find work on a farm and save enough money to travel to the United States of America.
Through a Glass DarklyThrough a Glass Darkly · 1961
Through a Glass Darkly
7.81961
MovieDrama
Karin hopes to recover from her recent stay at a mental hospital by spending the summer at her family's cottage on a tiny island. Her husband, Martin, cares for her but is frustrated by her physical withdrawal. Her younger brother, Minus, is confused by Karin's vulnerability and his own budding sexuality. Their father, David, cannot overcome his haughty remoteness. Beset by visions, Karin descends further into madness.
Dolores ClaiborneDolores Claiborne · 1995
Dolores Claiborne
7.31995
MovieCrimeDrama
Dolores Claiborne was accused of killing her abusive husband twenty years ago, but the court's findings were inconclusive and she was allowed to walk free. Now she has been accused of killing her employer, Vera Donovan, and this time there is a witness who can place her at the scene of the crime. Things look bad for Dolores when her daughter Selena, a successful Manhattan magazine writer, returns to cover the story.
Mutiny on the BountyMutiny on the Bounty · 1935
Mutiny on the Bounty
7.41935
MovieAdventureDrama
Fletcher Christian successfully leads a revolt against the ruthless Captain Bligh on the HMS Bounty. However, Bligh returns one year later, hell bent on revenge.
Robinson CrusoeRobinson Crusoe · 1997
Robinson Crusoe
6.01997
MovieAdventureDrama
Robinson Crusoe flees Britain on a ship after killing his friend over the love of Mary. A fierce ocean storm wrecks his ship and leaves him stranded by himself on an uncharted island. Left to fend for himself, Crusoe seeks out a tentative survival on the island, until he meets Friday, a tribesman whom he saves from being sacrificed. Initially, Crusoe is thrilled to finally have a friend, but he has to defend himself against the tribe who uses the island to sacrifice tribesman to their gods. During time their relationship changes from master-slave to a mutual respected friendship despite their difference in culture and religion.
Shutter IslandShutter Island · 2010
Shutter Island
8.22010
MovieDramaThriller
World War II soldier-turned-U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels investigates the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane, but his efforts are compromised by troubling visions and a mysterious doctor.
The PostmanThe Postman · 1994
The Postman
7.91994
MovieComedyDrama
Simple Italian postman learns to love poetry while delivering mail to a famous poet; he uses this to woo local beauty Beatrice.
The QuestThe Quest · 1996
The Quest
6.21996
MovieActionAdventure
Ghang-gheng, the ancient winner-take-all competition in which the deadliest fighters from around the world employ the most spectacular feats of martial arts skills ever displayed in order to win the prized Golden Dragon. But fighting prowess alone will not be enough for Chris to triumph over such daunting foes.
The IsleThe Isle · 2000
The Isle
6.92000
MovieDramaThriller
Mute Hee-Jin is working as a clerk in a fishing resort in the Korean wilderness; selling baits, food and occasionally her body to the fishing tourists. One day she falls in love with Hyun-Shik, who is on the run from the police, and rescues him with a fish hook when he tries to commit suicide.
The Naked IslandThe Naked Island · 1960
The Naked Island
8.01960
MovieDrama
A family of four are the sole inhabitants of a small island, where they struggle each day to irrigate their crops.
Evil Under the SunEvil Under the Sun · 1982
Evil Under the Sun
6.91982
MovieThrillerCrime
An opulent beach resort provides a scenic background to this amusing whodunit as Poirot attempts to uncover the nefarious evildoer behind the strangling of a notorious stage star.
And Then There Were NoneAnd Then There Were None · 1945
And Then There Were None
7.11945
MovieCrimeDrama
Ten strangers are summoned to a remote island and while they are waiting for the mysterious host to appear, a recording levels serious accusations at each of the guests. Soon they start being murdered, one by one. As the survivors try to keep their wits, they reach a disturbing conclusion: one of them must be the killer.
Cul-de-sacCul-de-sac · 1966
Cul-de-sac
6.71966
MovieThrillerComedy
On the run and in search of help, two wounded gangsters find refuge in the secluded castle of a feeble man and his wife; however, under the point of a gun, nothing is what it seems.
L'AvventuraL'Avventura · 1960
L'Avventura
7.51960
MovieDramaMystery
Claudia and Anna join Anna's lover, Sandro, on a boat trip to a remote volcanic island. When Anna goes missing, a search is launched. In the meantime, Sandro and Claudia become involved in a romance despite Anna's disappearance, though the relationship suffers from guilt and tension.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter