Island in Between

Island in Between

A personal, poetic look at the uneasy peace on the frontline between Taiwan and China.

Directed by S. Leo Chiang

Produced by CNEX Studio, The New York Times

202320 min6.3 / 10

A contemplative documentary meditation on the fragile, historically layered existence of a Taiwanese island caught between two nations.

The rural Taiwanese outer islands of Kinmen sit merely 2 miles off the coast of China. Kinmen attracts tourists for its remains from the 1949 Chinese Civil War. It also marks the frontline for Taiwan in its escalating tension with China.

Questions people ask

  • Is Island in Between sad? Yes. More sad than 82% of films.

  • Is Island in Between violent? Not especially. Less violent than 64% of films.

  • Does Island in Between end with hope? Not especially. Less hopeful than 63% of films.

  • Is Island in Between scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 58% of films.

  • Is Island in Between easy watching? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

36/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

You have seen this shape before.

Rarity84

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise9

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love35

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like Island in Between

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Island in Between

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Island in Between, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Island in Between, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Island in Between, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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