Central Station

One of Walter Salles’ first international successes, Central Station tells the story of an unlikely duo – a middle-aged, initially cynical woman and a nine-year-old boy who has just lost his mother – as they embark on a journey through the impoverished, often inhospitable landscapes of Brazil. The boy has a clear goal: to find his father. The woman, however, does not yet realize that by the end of their journey, she will rediscover a forgotten part of herself. Salles’ film captivated millions worldwide with its profound humanism, all without slipping into sentimentality. This intimate story continues to enchant audiences today with its epic backdrop – the raw beauty of Brazilian landscapes, and the dignity and resilience found even amidst poverty and suffering. Walter Salles also received two Oscar nominations for his latest film I’m Still Here, starring Fernanda Montenegro – who played the lead role in Central Station – alongside her daughter, Fernanda Torres.

Walter Salles’s latest film, I’m Still Here, won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film in 2025.

Piotr Kobus

Walter Salles was born in 1956, Rio de Janeiro. He spent his childhood in France and USA and returned to his native Brazil as a teenager. He began work in the film industry by making musical documentaries, e.g. Marisa Monte and Chico – O País da Delicadeza Perdida. Salles co-directed his feature-length debut Terra Estrangeira with Daniela Thomas. His next film, Central Station won the Golden Bear at the 1998 Berlinale. He has also co produced films such as City of God, Madame Satã, Suely in the Sky and Lion’s Den.

Catalog MFF Nowe Horyzonty 15. edition

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