Central Station

Central station is a Brasilian film set in Rio de Janeiro. The film centres on a haggard looking retired former school teacher - who now works in the cities main rail way station writing letters for illiterate Brasilians who regularly approach her requesting that she pen letters to the numerous people that they know.

Dora, who is single and has no children, is not the nicest lady in the world. She is quite unprofessional in her job - as she does not always mail the letters that she writes for the people who pay her. The untruthful habit of dumping the letters in a drawer or tearing them up has more than become general practice for a woman who from the onset to be dissatisfied with her life.

Josué, is the young boy of the cover of  the DVD. He is a nine year old who has never met his father, but harbours hopes of doing so. His mother enlists the help of Dora to write letters and send them to the estranged man. Expressing how they hope to reunite with him in the near future. Unfortunately, for Josué's mother - this doesn't prove to be the case - as she is killed in a bus accident. Leaving her small son to fend for himself on the uncompromising streets of Rio de Janeiro.

This is when the two main protagonists are brought together. Dora takes Josué under her wing and reluctantly attempts to look after the him. Her wrestling feelings of a sense of duty compel her to do this noble act, as she can not bare for a young boy to be left alone with nobody to look after him.

Josué accepts her olive branch of a place to stay, but he still dreams of being reunited with the father he barely knew and asks Dora to help him find him. She agrees and they embark on a journey that brings to light the depth that a human being can often go when trying to help another. A real, strong, bond develops within these characters. Unwittingly, brought together through a terrible circumstance, never the less Dora demonstrates that she does indeed have a heart and is able to sacrifice many things in the aid of assisting somebody in need.

The film combines many facets together in a lovely manner. It is often punctuated with light and funny moments alongside sad and tender ones as you see the relationship between the two individuals grow amidst the often fraught times, as it is appearant that they do not particularly like one another. The journey helps to break the walls that both have due to their circumstantial pasts. These walls begin to crumble to the point that both characters are able to establish a mutual liking and respect for one another.

The actors are extremely talented in this film. Especially, the character of Josué, for one so young at the time of the Central Station he portrays his role brilliantly. His cheek and youthful naivety often made me laugh. The film was released in 1998 and I have had it for many years and decided to watch it again some weeks ago. And, I must say that I enjoyed it as though it was the first time that I had ever viewed it.

If you ever happen to be in the World Cinema section of your local Music/DVD store I would highly recommend this Brasilian gem of a film.


Demola, TCC