Fernanda Montenegro's affecting performance, nominated for a Best Actress Oscar, is the centerpiece in this acclaimed Brazilian film. In the bustling heart of Rio de Janeiro, a young boy, Josue (Vinicius De Olivera), witnesses the accidental death of his mother. When a lonely letterwriter (Montenegro) reluctantly agrees to care for the boy, they begin a journey across the countryside on which they learn valuable lessons about each other and the human spirit.
Directed by
Walter Salles
Written by
Marcos Bernstein and João Emanuel Carneiro
Starring
Fernanda Montenegro (Dora); Marília Pêra (Irene); Vinícius de Oliveira (Josué); Soia Lira (Ana); Othon Bastos (Cesar); Otávio Augusto (Pedrão); Stela Freitas (Yolanda); Matheus Nachtergaele (Isaías); Caio Junqueira (Moisés). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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A Touching Story of an Inter-generational Friendship
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
Fernanda Montenegro turns in a great performance in Central do Brasil as she battles against the tempestuous and angry Josué (as played by Vinícius de Oliveira). This is the kind of film I love, because on paper it wouldn't sound terribly exciting, but on screen, given the said performances, it works so well. Dora acts as surrogate mother, friend and verbal sparring partner to Josué as he slowly comes to terms with the loss of his mother. His underlying hurt cannot be contained and as he takes his anger out on Dora, she finds in Josué a young man that unexpectedly helps and challenges her along on her journey through life too. This film is relatively little known, but it deserves a wider audience. Praise goes to the USCCB for featuring it on their Top-10 list of 1998.
