Central Station is a Brazilian drama film directed by Walter Salles and starring Fernanda Montenegro and Vinícius de Oliveira. The story revolves around the character of Dora, an embittered former school teacher living in Rio de Janeiro, who makes a living by writing letters for illiterate people at the central station. The film opens with Dora typing letters for people who are seeking jobs, family members, or lovers.
One day, a young boy named Josué comes to Dora asking her to write a letter to his father, whom he has never met. Josué's mother had just died in a car accident, and Dora initially refuses to help him. However, she soon takes pity on the boy and decides to accompany him on a journey to find his father in the Brazilian northeastern region.
On their journey, Dora and Josué face many difficulties, including poverty, theft, and Dora's stubbornness and dependence on alcohol. Despite this, they eventually develop a strong bond, and Dora finds herself beginning to care for Josué like a son. As they travel through rural Brazil, they encounter a variety of characters, including a young prostitute, a truck driver, and a kindly priest.
The film is a poignant exploration of the complexities of human relationships and of the struggles faced by the poor in Brazil. It received critical acclaim on its release in 1998, winning the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, the Best Foreign Language Film award at the Golden Globes, and the Best Actress award for Fernanda Montenegro at the Cannes Film Festival.