BPFB #1  FERNANDA MONTENEGRO

Fernanda Montenegro is considered one of the best actresses in Brazil. She is an acclaimed soap opera star, and has been part of over 30 soaps. She is also big in the Brazilian film industry. In 1998 she took the lead role in a film called Central Station. The film was met with critical acclaim here in the US and she receveiced a nomination for best acress at the acadamy awards. At the time I was in Brasil, I was 8 years old, and  I  remebered the entire country watching the Oscars that sunday, rejocing the fact that one of our very own fine actresses, was at the acadamy awards competing for best actress. Sadly she lost to Gweneth Paltrow. It was a sad night.

 

 

 

The Movie is a about a woman named Dora (Montenegro) who works at a train station in Rio De Janeiro writting letters for iliterate customers. One day a woman and her nine year old son  Josue, arrive at her desk, and the mother wrties a letter to the child's estranged father, hoping she can reunite the two. As  as they leave, the mother is run over and killed, leaving the boy terrified and alone. Dora at first sells the child to a corrupt couple that trafficts children, but guilt falls upon her, and she rescues the kid.  She is reluctant at first to help him, but she eventually decides to take him to the northeastern part of Brazil were the kid's estranged father lives. The two embarc on journey, forming a wonderful friendship along the way.

 

 

Montenegro in the Brazilian soap opera "Bellissima" were she played the corrupt and villainous "Bia Falcao". One her most recent and famous characters.