A Ilha dos Escravos

(Portugal/Spain/Brazil, 2008, 100 minutes)

In the mid-1800s, a mysterious gentleman arrives at the Portuguese African colony of Cape Verde with complex political designs. Would-be historical epic undone by its laughably amateurish, soap-opera-level handling and technical credits.

Ana Costa presents a Cinemate production, in co-production with CPI and Prodifilme; with financial support from ICA, ANCINE and Programme Ibermedia; in co-production with MPC & Associados and Southwest Productions. Starring Diogo Infante, Vanessa Giácomo, Zézé Motta, Milton Gonçalves, Vítor Norte, João Lagarto, José Eduardo, Ângelo Torres, Francisco de Assis, Luís Évora, Josina Fortes, Jorge Coutinho. Directed by Francisco Manso; produced by Ana Costa; screenplay by António Torrado, based on the novel by José Evaristo d'Almeida, O Escravo; music by João Oliveira; director of photography (Light Film/Tobis), Lúcio Kodato; art director, Rosa Ros; wardrobe, Lucha d'Orey, Rosa Lima; film editor, João Assunção.