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Central Station poster

Central Station (1998)

“Between hope and solitude, two lives cross and reinvent themselves”

8.1/10 · 1,083 votes 1h 51m Drama

#7 of 123 films from 1998 #157 of 3759 in drama

Directed by Walter Salles · Written by Walter Salles, Marcos Bernstein, João Emanuel Carneiro

▶ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

An emotional journey of a former school teacher, who writes letters for illiterate people, and a young boy, whose mother has just died, as they search for the father he never knew.

Cast

Fernanda Montenegroas Isadora 'Dora' Teixeira
Vinícius de Oliveiraas Josué Fontenele de Paiva
Marília Pêraas Irene
Othon Bastosas César
Otávio Augustoas Pedrão
Matheus Nachtergaeleas Isaías Paiva
Caio Junqueiraas Moisés Paiva
Stela Freitasas Yolanda
Maria Menezesas Waitress
Sergio Katoas Dora's Client
Soia Liraas Ana Fontenele
Rita Assemanyas Jessé's Wife
Harildo Dédaas Bené
Gildásio Leiteas Man on the bus

Facts

Release dateApril 3, 1998
Runtime111 min (1h 51m) — about the same as the 1998 average of 109 min
GenresDrama
Original titleCentral do Brasil
LanguagePT
Budget$2,900,000
Box office$5,596,708 (1.9× budget)
IMDbtt0140888

More from Walter Salles

I'm Still HereI'm Still Here2024 · ★ 7.9 · 2h 18m The Motorcycle DiariesThe Motorcycle Diaries2004 · ★ 7.4 · 2h 6m Paris Je T'aimeParis Je T'aime2006 · ★ 6.8 · 2h 0m Dark WaterDark Water2005 · ★ 5.7 · 1h 45m On the RoadOn the Road2012 · ★ 5.6 · 2h 22m

If you liked Central Station

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The Shawshank RedemptionThe Shawshank Redemption1994 · ★ 8.7 · 2h 22m Schindler's ListSchindler's List1993 · ★ 8.6 · 3h 15m Forrest GumpForrest Gump1994 · ★ 8.5 · 2h 22m Dilwale Dulhania Le JayengeDilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge1995 · ★ 8.5 · 3h 10m The Green MileThe Green Mile1999 · ★ 8.5 · 3h 9m Pulp FictionPulp Fiction1994 · ★ 8.5 · 2h 34m GoodFellasGoodFellas1990 · ★ 8.5 · 2h 25m Life Is BeautifulLife Is Beautiful1997 · ★ 8.4 · 1h 56m

Questions

How long is Central Station?
Central Station runs 111 minutes (1h 51m).
Is Central Station worth watching?
TMDB users give it 8.1/10 across 1,083 votes, which places it #7 of 123 films released in 1998 in this index (top 95%) and #157 among 3759 drama titles.
Who directed Central Station?
Central Station was directed by Walter Salles. Other well-rated titles by the same director: I'm Still Here (2024), The Motorcycle Diaries (2004), Paris Je T'aime (2006).
Who stars in Central Station?
Fernanda Montenegro as Isadora 'Dora' Teixeira; Vinícius de Oliveira as Josué Fontenele de Paiva; Marília Pêra as Irene; Othon Bastos as César; Otávio Augusto as Pedrão; Matheus Nachtergaele as Isaías Paiva.
Where can I watch the trailer for Central Station?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/268484.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.