The Middle of the World (2003)
"O Caminho das Nuvens" (original title)

A man and his family travel 3200km (1984 miles) by bicycle, from the State of Paraíba to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in search of a job.

Director:

Vicente Amorim

Writer:

David França Mendes (screenplay)

Stars:

Cláudia Abreu, Wagner Moura, Ravi Ramos Lacerda

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cláudia Abreu	...	Rose
Wagner Moura	...	Romão
Ravi Ramos Lacerda	...	Antônio
Manoel Sebastião Alves Filho	...	Rodney (as Manoel Sebastião)
Felipe Newton Silva Rodrigues	...	Clévis (as Felipe Newton)
Cícera Cristina Almino de Lima	...	Suelena (as Cristina de Lima)
Cícero Wesley A. Ferreira	...	Cícero (as Cicero Wallyson e Ciceero Wesley)
Claudio Jaborandy	...	Gideão
Sidney Magal	...	Panamá
Franciolli Luciano	...	Callado
Carol Castro	...	Sereia
Caco Monteiro	...	Severino
Laís Corrêa	...	Jurema
Fábio Lago	...	Neguiça
Alexandre Zacchia	...	Porfirio (as Alexandre Zachia)

Storyline

Romão, illiterate and unemployed, feels destiny drawing him on an odyssey to Rio de Janeiro in pursuit of a job and a decent life. A family of seven journeys 2,000 miles across the hinterlands of Brazil on bicycles. Along the way, the story explores the inner dynamics of a family facing a great challenge with the courage to pursue dreams.

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Plot Keywords:

bicycle | brazil | pursuit | travel | journey | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site (Portuguese and English)

Country:

Brazil

Language:

Portuguese Spanish English

Release Date:

12 September 2003 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

The Middle of the World

Filming Locations:

Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará, Brazil

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$202,624 (Brazil) (12 September 2003)

Gross:

$394,290 (Brazil) (26 September 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Luiz Carlos Barreto Produções Cinematográficas, Filmes do Equador, Miravista

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Owner of the Story (2004)

User Reviews

The road to Rio

This is a hypnotic Brazilian film. Directed by Vicente Amorim, it's set in the wide open expanses of the North of the country as a poor family is seen traveling toward Rio on bicycles. The movie gives us a sense of the enormity of some of the arid landscape the family traverses in order to get to a place where the father, Romao, could get a decent job that would pay him, at least, a sum, that in his mind will be enough to take care of his wife and five children.

The movie is made so appealing by the cinematography of Gustavo Hadba, whose camera loves to show the emptiness of the regions the family is seen traversing. The music of Andre Abujamra blends perfectly with the action.

The only thing that is incomprehensible is the way that Romao will not try to get a job, doing whatever, to support his family. Romao is a stoic father who believes his problems will be solved when they arrive in Rio, but along the way, he shows he is a beaten man who will let his family perform for whatever coins are thrown at them, and even starve, without moving a finger to remedy the situation. At the same time, Romao shows a faith in the miraculous Father Cicero, whose sanctuary they visit along the way, but alas, when opportunities arise, Romao doesn't take advantage of them.

The suffering mother Rosa is a model of loyalty to her husband. Even if she knows that it's because of Romao they are in the position one sees them. Antonio, the oldest son, is clearly an intelligent boy who will make it in life because he appears to have a resolve that will fight to survive.

The director got good performances all around from his cast. Wagner Moura, Claudia Abreu and Ravi Ramos Lacerda, the three principals, are perfect in their roles.

The film will not disappoint because it shows a good director at the helm.