IMDb > Central Station (1998)
Central do Brasil
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany credits
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guidemessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsmemorable quotes
Did You Know?
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
box office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Central Station (1998) More at IMDbPro »Central do Brasil (original title)

Photos (See all 26 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
Central Station -- An emotive journey of a former school teacher, who write letters for illiterate people, and a young boy, whose mother has just died, in search for the father he never knew.

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   20,278 votes »
Your Rating:
Saving vote...
Deleting vote...
/10   (delete | history)
Sorry, there was a problem
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Walter Salles
Writers:
Marcos Bernstein (writer)
João Emanuel Carneiro (writer)
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Central Station on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 November 1998 (USA) See more »
Genre:
Drama See more »
Tagline:
He was looking for the father he never knew. She was looking for a second chance. See more »
Plot:
An emotive journey of a former school teacher, who write letters for illiterate people, and a young boy, whose mother has just died, in search for the father he never knew. Full summary » | Add synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 33 wins & 11 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(161 articles)
Walter Salles Working On Two New Screenplays, 'Terra' With Gael García Bernal & One With His 'Central Station' Star
 (From The Playlist. 26 May 2012, 10:31 AM, PDT)
News: Kristen Stewart/Garrett Hedlund/Sam Riley On The Road Interview
 (From Alt Film Guide. 21 May 2012, 11:31 AM, PDT)
On The Road: Another The Motorcycle Diaries, Central Station?
 (From Alt Film Guide. 9 May 2012, 11:31 AM, PDT)
User Reviews:
rehashed storyline creatively told See more (250 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)

Fernanda Montenegro ... Isadora

Marília Pêra ... Irene
Vinícius de Oliveira ... Josué
Soia Lira ... Ana
Othon Bastos ... Cezar
Otávio Augusto ... Pedrão
Stela Freitas ... Yolanda
Matheus Nachtergaele ... Isaías

Caio Junqueira ... Moisés
Socorro Nobre ... Dora's Client
Manoel Gomes ... Dora's Client
Roberto Andrade ... Dora's Client
Sheyla Kenia ... Dora's Client
Malcon Soares ... Dora's Client
Maria Fernandes ... Dora's Client
Maria Marlene ... Dora's Client
Christano Camargo ... Dora's Client
Jorseba-Sebastiano Oliveira ... Dora's Client
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Andréa Albuquerque ... Dora's Client
Sidney Antunes ... Crente
Rita Assemany ... Jessé's Wife
João Braz ... Photo stall owner
Patrícia Brás ... Dora's Client
Marcelo Carneiro ... The thief
Telma Cunha ... Lipstick woman
José Pedro da Costa Filho ... Cameló
Estelina Moreira da Silva ... Woman in the bus 2
José Pereira da Silva ... Dora's Client
Felícia de Castro ... Cashier
Marcos de Lima ... Bené's Son
Preto de Linha ... Shoeshine Man
Harildo Deda ... Bené
Antônio dos Santos ... Dora's Client
Berto Filho ... Romeiro 1
Fernando Fulco ... F-street man
Gildasio Leite ... Man in the bus
Sônia Leite ... Woman in the bus 1
Edivaldo Lima ... Jessé's Son
Nanego Lira ... Nordeste preacher
Diego Lopes Filho ... Cachier
Dona Luzia ... Pilgrim singingin truck
Antônio Marcos ... Singer
Mário Mendes ... João - Yolanda's husband
Maria Menezes ... Waitress
Esperança Motta ... Prostituta
Manuel José Neves ... Walkman owner
Antonieta Noronha ... Violeta
Zezão Pereira ... Bus driver
Everaldo Pontes ... Dora's Client
José Ramos ... Pilgrims' driver
Iami Rebouças ... Woman of the photo
João Rodrigues ... Praying pilgrim 2
Gideon Rosa ... Jessé
Inaldo Santana ... Dora's Client in Nordeste
Cícero Santos ... Dora's Client
Dona Severina ... Praying pilgrim 1
Eliane Silva ... Dora's Client
Ingrid Trigueiro ... Dora's Client
Create a character page for: ?

Directed by
Walter Salles 
 
Writing credits
(in alphabetical order)
Marcos Bernstein  writer
João Emanuel Carneiro  writer
Walter Salles  story

Produced by
Lillian Birnbaum .... executive producer
Paulo Brito .... associate producer
Martine de Clermont-Tonnerre .... producer
Afonso Coaracy .... line producer
Arthur Cohn .... producer
Paulo Carlos De Brito .... associate producer
Jack Gajos .... associate producer
Thomas Garvin .... executive producer
Donald Ranvaud .... executive producer
Robert Redford .... producer
Walter Salles .... producer
Elisa Tolomelli .... executive producer
 
Original Music by
Jaques Morelenbaum 
Antonio Pinto 
 
Cinematography by
Walter Carvalho 
 
Film Editing by
Felipe Lacerda 
Isabelle Rathery 
 
Casting by
Sérgio Machado 
 
Production Design by
Cassio Amarante 
Carla Caffé 
 
Costume Design by
Cristina Camargo 
 
Makeup Department
Antoine Garabedian .... head makeup artist
 
Production Management
Beto Bruno .... production supervisor
Afonso Coaracy .... production manager
Leonardo Oest .... assistant production manager
Claudia Reis .... assistant production manager
Severo Santos .... assistant production manager
Marcelo Torres .... production manager
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
João Emanuel Carneiro .... second assistant director
Vinicius Coimbra .... assistant director: Rio de Jameiro
Kátia Lund .... first assistant director
Sérgio Machado .... second assistant director
Cláudia Tavores .... trainee assistant director
 
Art Department
Moisés Alexandre .... set painter: Pernambuco
Isac Caffé .... set painter
Mônica Costa .... set designer
Joana Côrtes .... art department trainee
Almir de Azevédo .... art researcher: Pernambuco
Cristiana Duarte .... art department trainee
Paulo Dubois .... set constructor
Cristiana Javier .... art department trainee
Marcelo Larrea .... assistant art director
Marcelo Larrea .... set designer
Leão .... set constructor: Pernambuco
Zé Luca .... set designer
Joana Mureb .... art department trainee
Joana Penna .... art department trainee
Roberta Pupo .... art department trainee
Marcos Sachs .... set painter
Edmilson Santana .... set constructor: Pernambuco
Marcelo Silva de Lima .... property assistant
 
Sound Department
Jean-Claude Brisson .... sound
Manuel de Souza .... assistant sound editor
François Groult .... sound
François Lepeuple .... foley artist
Olivier Marlangeon .... foley artist
Bruno Tarrière .... sound mixer
Mark A. Van Der Willigen .... sound
Waldir Xavier .... sound editor
 
Special Effects by
Sergio Farjalla Jr. .... special effects coordinator
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Alberto Bellezia .... second assistant camera
Marcelo Brasil .... first assistant camera
Walter Carvalho .... still photographer
Valdemir Cezar .... key grip: Rio de Janeiro
Claudio Gustavo da Silva .... camera trainee
Hallfman de Amar .... grip
Marcos de Noronha .... best boy
Geraldo Ferreira .... electrician
Natanael Golçalves Souza .... grip
José Gomes .... grip
Júlio Guimarães .... grip
Ulisses Malta Jr. .... electrician
Paulo Oliveira .... electrician
Valdeci Pires .... grip
Paula Prandini .... still photographer
Ricardo Sa .... still photographer
Manoel Severino .... grip
 
Casting Department
Daniela Braga .... casting assistant
Denise del Cueto .... children casting: Rio de Janeiro
Nilse Oliveira .... casting assistant
Gisele Tolomelli .... casting trainee
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Cacelda Fernandes Da Silva .... costume support
Maria Helena Ferreira .... costume support
Marta Macedo .... wardrobe
 
Editorial Department
João Cutileiro Nunes .... assistant editor
Yvan Lucas .... color timer
Joao Nunes .... first assistant editor
Patrick Thauvin .... negative cutter
 
Music Department
Bernardo Bessler .... musician: violin
Marie Christine S. Bessler .... musician: viola
Michel Bessler .... musician: violin
Luiz Brasil .... musician: guitar, viola, and mandolin
Chico César .... composer: song: "Mama África"
José Alves da Silva .... musician: violin
João Daltro de Almeida .... musician: violin
Denner de Castro Campolina .... musician: double bass
Ricardo Amado de Silva .... musician: violin
Walter Hack .... musician: violin
Márcio Malard .... musician: cello (as Márcio Eymard Malard)
Edu Morelembaum .... musician: piano
Jaques Morelenbaum .... musician: cello
Giancarlo Pareschi .... musician: violin
Jesuína N. Passaroto .... musician: viola
Paschoal Perrotta Cordas .... music arranger: strings
Paschoal Perrotta Cordas .... musician: violin
Antonio Pinto .... musician: piano
Jorge Kundert Ranevsky .... musician: cello
Siba .... musician: rebec
Marcos Suzano .... musician: percussion
 
Transportation Department
Sueli Mattos .... transportation manager
 
Other crew
Claude Abeille .... lawyer
Nadia Aleotti .... italian assistant dubbing director
Pauline Alphen .... french adaptation: original version with subtitles
Gilmard Amaro .... trainee production assistant
Daniela Arantes .... production assistant
Ilsa Baptista .... executive assistant
Claudia Bejarano .... production secretary
Rodolfo Bianchi .... italian dubbing director
Vera Bonilha .... assistant acting coach
Eduardo Colombiano .... trainee production assistant
José Antonio Da Silva .... personnel department
José Carlos Da Silva .... personnel department
Isabelle Davis .... production assistant
Edouard de Chabaneix .... production assistant
Jacques Dubecq .... production administrator
Thomas Garvin .... lawyer
Zenilda Grimm .... personnel department
C. Lebrun .... french adaptation: original version with subtitles
Alice Lefrançois .... production assistant
Mónica Lima .... production assistant
Anna Luiza Müller .... publicist
Wellington Pingo .... set manager
Adelina Pontual .... continuity
Claudia Reis .... trainee production assistant
André-Paul Ricci .... press attache: France
André-Paul Ricci .... press attaché: France
Eudes Santos .... production assistant
Selma Santos .... location manager
Wellington Silva .... production assistant
Maria Fatima Toledo .... coach
Maria Fatima Toledo .... training of actors: Josué
 
Thanks
Waldenor Alves Pereira Filho .... thanks
Ziraldo Alves Pinto .... thanks
Fabrizia Amarante .... thanks
Dona Angelina .... thanks
Marli Araujo de Macedo .... thanks
André Bei .... thanks
Sophie Bernard .... thanks
Dominique Boitelet .... thanks
Clovis Bueno .... thanks
Elizaberh Campos .... thanks
Eliana Carneiro .... thanks
Naira Carneiro .... thanks
Angela Chequeti .... thanks
Paula Chevallet .... thanks
Olivier Chiavassa .... thanks
Germano Coelho Filho .... thanks
Jean-Jacques Compère .... thanks
Marcos Cotrim .... thanks
Patricia Cunha .... thanks
Kikika da Costa Loureiro .... thanks
Isabel da Costa Svoboda .... thanks
Maria de Fatima da Silva .... thanks
Francisco de Assis Menezes .... thanks
Reginaldo de Castro Barbosa .... thanks
Antonio Fernando de Franceschi .... thanks
Pierre de Rohan Chabot .... thanks
Marcelo Dias Alves .... thanks
Rosa Duran Castro .... thanks
Veronique Durand .... thanks
Elaine Falconi .... thanks
Carlos Fenerich .... thanks
Maria Fernandes .... thanks
Gabriel Jorge Ferreira .... thanks
Keila Filadelfo .... thanks
Casablanca Finish .... thanks
Jacques Forgeas .... thanks
Master Frio Bebedouro .... thanks
João Galhardo Junior .... thanks
Vilma Gontillo Alves Pinto .... thanks
Milton Gonçalves .... thanks
Vera Hamburguer .... thanks
Elizabeth Jaguaribe .... thanks
Verônica Julian .... thanks
Maira Jung .... thanks
Eduardo Lannes .... thanks
Antônio Lauro Costa .... thanks
Paul Linhares .... thanks
Bernadeth Lira .... thanks
Milton Longobardi .... thanks
Ana Maria Mariani .... thanks
Yves Marmion .... thanks
George Marques .... thanks
Isabel Christina Martins Monteiro .... thanks
Jorge Melquisedeque .... thanks
Guilherme Menezes de Andrade .... thanks
Frédéric Mitterrand .... thanks
Maninha Moraes .... thanks
Pedro Moreira Salles .... thanks
Padre Murilo .... thanks
Christian Ninnaud .... thanks
Ana Paula Nogueira .... thanks
Olga Paiva .... thanks
Luciana Penna .... thanks
Carmen Perrotta .... thanks
Beth Pessoa .... thanks (as Elizabeth Pessoa)
Alice Pinheiro da Costa .... thanks
Ciro Pirondi .... thanks
Marlene Porto .... thanks
Hélio Ribeiro .... thanks
José Ricci .... thanks
Fernando Rodrigues .... thanks
Teresa Rodrigues .... thanks
Eduardo Saphira .... thanks
Eli Shurtz Pereira .... thanks
Arlete Siaretta .... thanks
Tatiana Stepanenko .... thanks
Claudio Taboada .... thanks
Edgard Tenenbaum .... thanks
Daniela Thomas .... thanks
Catherine Tocheport .... thanks
 

Production CompaniesDistributorsOther Companies
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
"Central do Brasil" - Brazil (original title)
See more »
MPAA:
Rated R for language
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
113 min | Canada:115 min | Finland:110 min | Netherlands:108 min | Germany:108 min
Country:
Brazil | France
Language:
Portuguese | German
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Dolby SR
Certification:
Iceland:L | Finland:K-11 (new rating: 2001) | Finland:K-12/9 (original rating) | Peru:PT | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:12 | Chile:TE | Finland:K-12/9 | France:U | Germany:6 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:12 | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:15 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Arcoverde, State of Pernambuco, BrazilSee more »
Company:
Audiovisual Development Bureau, Ministerio da CulturaSee more »

Did You Know?

Trivia:
When Fernanda Montenegro set up her table at Central Station, real people approached her to write letters for them. Some of these real talks were incorporated by director Walter Salles and appear in the movie.See more »
Quotes:
[first lines]
Dora's Client:[dictating a letter] My darling, My heart belongs to you. No matter what you've done, I still love you. I love you. While you're locked in there all those years, I'll be locked up out here, waiting for you.
See more »
Movie Connections:
Featured in The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1999) (TV)See more »
Soundtrack:
É Deus Por NósSee more »

FAQ

What happened to Josue's Father?
See more »

User Reviews

   (Review this title)
13 out of 16 people found the following review useful.
rehashed storyline creatively told, 8 November 2004
Author: Gregg Greene from Eugene, OR

In reality, there are a finite amount of interesting story lines to tell. What makes one movie telling the same storyline more worthwhile to see is a combination of creative expression, in depth character development, superb acting, exquisite photography, and believability, or the ability to persuade the moviegoer to suspend disbelief.

How many times have we been exposed to a retelling of Shirley Temple's Heidi, where a young non-related child falls into the life of an old curmudgeon, and teaches that curmudgeon to enjoy life and/or develop morals and values? Too many times for me, so I was reluctant to see this film. It would have been a shame had I not.

There are many creative twists and turns along the way to keep the suspense level up in this film. The photography in Rio is OK, but once out in the Brazilian countryside, it is fantastic. At the end of the film, there is little doubt but that the way this story turns out is how it would have had to turn out. The character development of Josue is a little weak, but that of Dora is superb. And you will see a lot of films before you will see an acting performance like Fernanda Montenegro's as Dora again.

This movie thankfully is not overly sentimental, that would get in the way of the story, it is just a great film to watch and enjoy. 9 of 10.

Was the above review useful to you?
See more (250 total) »

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Central Station (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
A Great Movie! CleberRech
a touching film super_sam_86
Are so many people really illiterate in Brazil? bythesea1
Did Dora lie when she read the letter? gobiracer
Bus Driver and her 'friend' wech285
Photograph sophie-kraeusslich
See more »

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Day of the Wacko Landscape in the Mist My Own Private Idaho Carol's Journey Lolita
IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
 IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb Brazil section

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.