Central do Brasil (1998): A Journey Towards Light

What It's About

I don't know why, but I have a unexplained fascination about this movie. I watched it over and over again and always felt the same way. Rarely a movie can touch me so profoundly. The story evolved around Dora, a old and single woman who earns her living by writing letters for illiterate people at the station and Josue, a 9 year old boy who lost his mother and had nowhere to go. Dora took him with her- not from her kindness but with an evil intention. However, she came to realize her fault and then set out for a journey to find out Josue's father whom he never met. This epic and emotionally moving journey transformed Dora totally. But did Josue meet his father? Did his long awaited dreams come true? 

What's Special

The story is simple but sentimentally very powerful. I nearly cry every time I watch this movie. The visuals are strikingly beautiful, thanks to a splendid camera work. Above all, Vinícius de Oliveira's performance as Josue is beyond any word. He did exceptionally good. Fernanda Montenegro also gave a superb performance. You will have a good idea about the landscape and culture of Northern Brazil through this movie. Pardon me if I sound a bit over-exited but I recommend this movie to everyone. Watch it- you will not regret.

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Central Station
Central Station - Central Do Brasil
Central Station: Music From The Motion Picture
    

Departures (2008): Symphony of Death

What It's About

Departures, also known as 'Okuribito', oscar winner in the best foreign language film category in 2009, is one of the few movies that will make you think about death and it's meaning. Daigo, an aspiring cellist decides to make an end of his musical career and starts to look for a new job. Soon, he gets a job and the job turns out to be the job of an 'encoffiner', a person who performs traditional rituals before placing a dead body in the coffin. Though he did not actually welcome this employment initially, gradually he starts to like the job. He starts to understand the meaning of death from a totally new perspective. However, as the job is socially loathed, his personal and social life becomes increasingly complicated. The relationship with his employer ignites Daigo's long-hidden love-hate feelings for his father who left Daigo and his mother long ago. Daigo's loving and caring wife leaves him because of this job, still he can not quit it. 

What's Special

The acting of all the main characters is outstanding. The movie has a brilliant display of dark humor. For this film, music was really important and I must say the musical compositions were enchantingly beautiful.

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