Central Station

Dora, a retired schoolteacher, spends her days working at Central Station in Rio de Janeiro, providing letter-writing services to those who are illiterate. Her life has become dull and bitter, leading her to sometimes ignore or destroy the letters she writes.

Among her clients is Josué's mother, who desperately wishes to connect her son with his estranged father. Tragedy strikes when she dies in a bus accident, leaving the young boy homeless and alone in the vast city.

After Josué's mother passes away, Dora feels an unexpected sense of responsibility towards the boy. While her initial reaction is to hand him over to a corrupt couple, guilt soon overwhelms her, prompting her to reclaim Josué.

Determined to help Josué, Dora decides to embark on a journey to northeastern Brazil in search of his father. Despite her misgivings about the responsibility, she is compelled to ensure the boy's safety and hope.

During their travels, Dora tries to distance herself from Josué by abandoning him on a bus. However, the resourceful boy follows her, inadvertently leaving behind his backpack, which contains her money.

In their desperate situation, they are aided by a friendly truck driver who offers them a ride. Unfortunately, after Dora encourages him to drink beer, he becomes too friendly and ultimately deserts them.

Faced with poverty and the need to travel further, Dora makes the difficult decision to trade her watch for a ride. This sacrifice highlights the dire circumstances they find themselves in and their determination to forge ahead.

Upon reaching Bom Jesus, Dora and Josué discover that his father is missing, having reportedly won a lottery and left. This revelation leaves them feeling lost and hopeless at a time when they desperately need guidance.

With no clear options left, Josué suggests that Dora write letters for the many pilgrims visiting the area. This clever idea provides them with a lifeline as they begin to earn some money and gain a sense of purpose.

Later, they meet Isaías, one of Josué’s half-brothers, who invites them to dinner. During this familial gathering, they also meet another brother, Moisés, and learn about their father's intentions to reunite the family.

Isaías shares a poignant letter written by their father, expressing his wish to find Josué and reconnect after years of separation. As Dora reads the letter, she reflects on her bond with Josué and his yearning for family.

The following morning, while they sleep, Dora quietly decides to return to Rio, forgetting the important letters she was meant to send. This choice, driven by her overwhelming need for familiarity, leads to unexpected consequences.

Josué wakes up too late to stop Dora from leaving, realizing they are now separated once again. In his helplessness, he is left with only memories and photographs, symbolizing the connections they built during their journey.

As both Dora and Josué face the consequences of their choices, they are left to confront the reality of their family dynamics and the bonds that tie them together. Dora's journey highlights the struggles of searching for belonging amid chaos.