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"THE MIDDLE OF THE WORLD"

BASED ON A TRUE STORY

What does it say?

It says, "Middle of the World Square".

- What? - "Middle of the World Square".

Is this the middle of the world?

That's what it says, "Middle of the World Square".

Cico?

Cico?

By bike, with the kids and all?!

Was that some sort of promise you made?

- Want some? - Yes, please.

- Did you come from very far? - From Rio de Janeiro.

Over 3,000 km.

Tell me about these bikes.

I couldn't leave the wife and kids behind, could I?

Thanks.

So I had to use the bikes.

Watch it!

To Father Cicero's Juazeiro, take this road all the way...

until you see a gas station. But it's far.

When you get there, ask for directions.

But I'm warning you: It's a long way.

I'm not afraid of the road...

especially having faith in Father Cicero like I do.

Faith that he'll get you a 1,000 real salary.

Here's the deal, I'm a man of destiny.

A thousand "reais"? No poor man makes a thousand.

Less than that, I can't feed the children.

Father Cicero will grant me this grace.

I'm bad

I'll tell you that

It won't be easy

To follow me

The girl who rides with me

Will see I love speed

My car is a hot rod

- I'm bad - Wait! Wait!

More water here.

It stinks! Hey, Antonio!

Give me a cloth, Cico pooped.

Wash it over there.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Sorry to interrupt your meal, ladies and gentlemen...

But I'd like to brighten up your day...

With some songs by our king, Roberto Carlos.

Permit me...

I have so much To tell you

But words are not Enough to express

How great is my love

For you

There is nothing I can use to compare

To try and explain

How great is my love

For you

Not even the sky Nor the stars

Not even the sea Nor infinity

Can be greater Nor prettier

Than my love

I lose hope of finding

A way to let you know

How great is my love

For you

Never forget Not even for a second

That there is no greater love Than mine

How great is my love

For you

How great is my love

For you

Blessed singing!

Welcome to Patos, in the state of Paraiba.

This is Nazareth Station 5, where you'll find everything...

a trucker needs: Mechanics, oil change, wash...

Rodney...

Welcome to Patos, in the state of Paraiba.

This is Nazareth Station 5, where you'll find everything...

a trucker needs: Mechanics, oil change, wash...

and a large video room...

with lounge chairs and more.

Nazareth, your service station chain!

If Dad catches you...

Antonio!

Why do you do this to me, my love?

Say something, anything! One word is enough for me.

Who is that with you?

Who is it?

Antonio!

Antonio, I love you!

Antonio, my love!

- What the hell? - Antonio!

You let your brother watch this?

What's wrong with you, Antonio?

Get going!

By dawn, I want you all out of here.

He's not a son. He's God's way of punishing me!

Your father knows what he's doing.

No, he doesn't, going out in the world on bikes.

- He's your father! - So what?

Here's the deal:

A man has to work from an early age.

- When I was your age, I was a man. - I'm a man!

A man who makes no money, and has no woman?

Your brother is more of a man than you.

At least he makes money with his and Rose's singing.

Don't touch that!

There, there, Cico.

Put yours up there.

Take Cico there, Clevis.

I'll be right back.

Don't go wandering off. Help your mother.

- This is private property! - Excuse me, sir, but...

I could care less! You can't be here!

Don't do that!

- Antonio! - Hold her!

For God's sake!

Go get a bandage!

Do these kids have a father, ma'am?

I'm sorry, Mr. "Portfilo"...

It's Porfirio! Porfirio!

- Porfirio. - That's right.

I'm sorry, but the boy got nervous...

because the man was messing with his mother.

What are you doing here?

We took to the road...

Iooking for a job.

I need a job to feed the wife and the kids.

I need a thousand "reais" a month.

A thousand a month?

A thousand "reais". My destination is Father Cicero's Juazeiro.

He's my patron saint, and he'll help me.

But if on the way I get a thousand "reais" job, I'll stay.

I'm a son of a bitch!

Here, you'll only find jobs for s.o.b. S, criminals, and thugs.

Are you a s.o.b.?

- Here. For you and Antonio. - I want my own!

Wash your head first, then your clothes and body.

And don't get dirt on your head!

- But I want my own! - Go on!

Antonio!

Give it to me, Antonio.

Come and get it, sissy!

Those kids must be a handful, aren't they?

You can say that again!

You've got so many of them!

Mrs. Jurema, you can't imagine...

what we go through on the road.

What did you expect on bicycles, dear?

That husband of yours is one crazy man.

But don't worry. My husband will help you.

- Really? - Everybody knows him here.

"The state of Paraiba's Electoral Office...

Sao Bento County section...

hereby registers 273 votes for Severino Salgado...

on October 3rd, 1998, with which."

He has been assured a seat on the City Council.

Heavens, does every visitor have to read that?

Don't be a show-off!

She saw it herself! I didn't show her anything!

Rose, let's go to the kitchen.

So, you're a Councilman?

Yes, the people here like me. If there's someone in need...

I raise up some help, pass the hat around.

Now, Mr. Romao, tell me.

What's this crazy idea about this trip on bicycles?

You know Sao Bento is the city of hammocks.

Everybody here works on hammocks, Mr. Romao.

Our hammocks are sold all over Brazil.

My driver's license permits me to drive any vehicle...

trucks, eighteen-wheelers... The only ones I can't drive...

are fuel tank trucks, that's another category.

My Jurema told me your wife has worked on hammocks.

- She knows how to make them. - Yes, she does.

There's always work here, Mr. Romao.

- Now there's one thing. - What thing?

To support my family, I need a job that pays a thousand "reais".

- Could you spare a cigarette? - Sure.

- Early in the morning... - Can I have a cigarette, too?

Mr. Romao, get yourself a job...

because your wife's a good worker, she's already on the job.

Mrs. Jurema says each peace pays 30 cents.

- Really? - Really.

Appreciate it.

Hey, boy!

That was the last freight this month. They don't need truckers.

Five, six...

seven, eight hammocks.

- Rose, what is this? - That's today.

You're really fast, for the love of God!

Mrs. Jurema, we've been on the road for two months.

You're a god-send. Oh, please, you're welcome.

Do you think we can find a place to live around here?

Certainly.

Rose!

Hey, Rose!

Come and take care of your son!

Excuse me.

How did the boy wake up?

They say there's work...

but I don't think so.

Didn't they give me work? We just got here!

What work, woman? What work?

I've earned nine "reais".

Nine "reais"!

First day!

Mr. Severino, I'm very thankful to you and Mrs. Jurema...

but I'm not taking your advice.

My true destiny is on the road.

Don't be hasty, Mr. Romao.

- You'll find work soon enough. - Yes, Mr. Romao...

- Rose is making money and... - I'm sorry, but it just isn't right.

My patron saint will help me.

- I'm going to Juazeiro. - That's stupid.

I'm staying in Sao Bento!

Blasted boy!

If you think you'll do to me

What you do to Everyone that loves you

You'd better learn that To keep me

You'll have to change

From now on

Everything will be different

You'll have to learn To be a humane

Your pride is not worth anything

Anything at all

You have a whole life to live

To learn good from evil

You'd better think fast And choose

Before the end

You don't know

And never cared to learn

That when we love for real

What matters is happiness And nothing else

Mom...

I'm hungry!

Come to bed. Come on.

Get some sleep. Sleep will make hunger go away.

Antonio! Antonio!

Antonio!

Come here!

Go up there...

- and ask for the saint's blessing. - Ma'am?

You get up on there, pray, and ask God...

ask our patron saint to help us.

Then, you pass by the staff of the saint three times.

Each time, you kiss it and say "amen".

Go on, Antonio. Go!

Young man, help me, for the love of God.

The test of my love for Father Cicero.

Long live, Father Cicero!

Long live!

The Juazeiro do Norte Chamber of Commerce salutes...

the pilgrims and invites to visit the museum.

Visit the Father Cicero museum...

raise the table up and receive the grace of God.

- Do you make those yourself? - Yes.

I'm here with my kids, we have nothing to eat.

- Can you give me something? - I have no money.

- Bread then, got any? - No, I don't.

The Juazeiro do Norte Chamber of Commerce salutes...

the pilgrims and invites to visit the museum.

Visit the Father Cicero museum...

raise the table up and receive the grace of God.

Could you help me?

I don't even have enough for myself.

All these houses, Romao, and not one piece of bread.

Let's go see Father Cicero's table.

The kids are hungry! What will I give them?

We'll go see the table.

We have to find something for the kids to eat. Let's leave.

That table...

Only those without sin can lift it up.

The kids can't hold out any longer!

I will lift up that table and Father Cicero will help me.

He will help us get to Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro?

So many houses, so many people...

and no one gave us anything.

Nobody wants to help others.

Or they want to, but can't.

These people only helped because of the table.

Think about it! If someone comes along... anyone.

It might be someone with a family...

worse off than us. What if they ask for help?

Will we give? Will we help?

Will we deny our children to feed a stranger's child?

Would you let Clevis or Rodney...

go hungry to feed a stranger? No way.

Giving to the poor is like lending to God.

And when does He pay back?

This isn't a life.

I'm not a man if I can't provide for my wife and kids.

How can you put up living with a man...

who doesn't give you a decent life?

To provide for you properly, I need to make 1,000 "reais".

I'm taking you all to Rio de Janeiro, you'll see.

I'll get a job that pays one thousand "reais".

You'll see.

Dad!

Dad!

We're tired.

It'll be dark soon, and I want to reach a station.

Let's go.

WELCOME TO JUREMAL STATE OF BAHIA

- Do you have any change? - No.

- To help me out? - Not even to help you out!

Did you have to say it like that?

Wait a minute!

What are you doing?

Nothing.

What do you mean nothing? Go find a car to wash!

- Go yourself! - What?

Nothing.

Repeat what you just said.

Nothing.

Look at what the lady gave me. It's beautiful!

Dad!

Give me the knife.

Let me take it off.

- Give it to me. - But I found it.

Give it to me!

Here, but don't lose it.

- Where's the car I gave you? - What car?

When we really love someone

We never forget that love

Time goes by Everything goes by

But that love remains In our heart

And every moment Apart Lasts too long

This yearning is torture

But every moment together Is like heaven

Love only grows

I live for her

No one can doubt that

Because she's everything

In my life

Poor girl...

Look at that!

Another guy who stuck his nose where he shouldn't have.

- You mean, you cook the beans first? - First, I cook the beans.

Then I cook the rice in the beans, in the same pan.

Put it down, you brat! It's his!

What are you laughing at, sissy?

Don't get upset over such a small thing.

Antonio is now the highway police.

He's the police now, the freak.

Freak!

When I get there, I know what I'll do.

You're going to Rio de Janeiro on bicycles?

Isn't it crazy, Mr. Gideao?

Well, I'm off to Sao Paulo, and I'm going on foot.

It's far, isn't it? But I'll make it.

I've walked from Joao Pessoa to Petrolina.

Now, I'm coming from Fortaleza, I got here...

Sao Paulo is just another stretch.

Yeah, but you're alone.

You can hitch a ride on a truck.

We've got all these kids, got all of these things...

So it's even harder on bikes than on foot.

I have this woman who can't even ride well.

But to have a woman to cook, to make coffee...

to cuddle up with, to get cozy and get it on...

Sorry for the language, ma'am.

It's not all that bad, is it, mister?

The bikes have flat tires, the kids get hurt.

You, by yourself, have it much easier.

- By myself, I'd go anywhere. - Anywhere?

To the U.S.? To Europe?

To Japan, my friend!

If I knew there was a job in Japan that paid 1,000 "reais"...

I'd go, and become slant-eyed on the way!

Rodney!

You crazy kid! Do you want to die?

I was playing ball.

I AM THE MOTHER OF LOVE

Toys!

Dribble one, two...

and kick!

Darn it, Rodney!

So much money!

Mr. Romao...

you are a good man.

You're worth much more than the thousand "reais" you need.

Do you understand?

I don't want that much.

- I just want what we need, right? - Yes.

Look, Filadelfia is not even 30 km away.

When you get there, look up a friend of mine, a mechanic.

But don't forget to tell him my name.

Tell him you are a friend of Gideao's!

I'm a friend of Gideao's.

- Gideao? - Gideao.

What Gideao?

His voice is like...

"A woman to cuddle up with, to get cozy and get it on..."

That's Chupa-Cabra.

It's not a luxury hotel, but it beats sleeping on the streets.

If you adjust the TV, you can watch the news...

a soccer game, a soap opera.

Thank you, Mr, Neguica.

It's Saturday. Are those people going to the club?

As I was saying, there are no jobs here.

But tomorrow we'll see if we can get you some help.

We'll start by fixing the tires on those bikes.

They're all falling apart.

Where is the club? There's a dance, right? Tonight?

Yes.

It's right over there. You go straight...

and at the third street, no, the fourth...

- Why do you want to know? - Mother, leave me alone!

Boy, come back! I'm your mother!

Rose!

Let him go.

Was the dance good?

Yes.

Lots of girls?

Lots.

Did you dance?

I did.

- Did you drink? - Yes.

Are you sure?

Do you want a cigarette?

Yes.

Is there no water, Dad?

WELCOME TO FEIRA DE SANTANA BAHIA

- Is there a bus to Rio? - What? Speak up, boy!

Rio. Is there a bus to Rio de Janeiro?

Here, we have buses to everywhere.

Can you see that cuckold picker over there?

It goes from Sao Luis, Maranhao, to Sao Paulo.

It picks up and delivers cuckolds of all sorts.

In all the cities it passes, even Rio de Janeiro.

Sir, would you like a ticket?

How much?

What's this?

I bought it for us. We don't need to go by bike anymore.

- Where did you get the money? - Answer me!

Did you steal it?

- Is this stolen money? - That won't do!

Where did you get it?

- I found it in the church! - Don't blaspheme, boy!

I found it in the church... Rodnei!

- Tell the truth! - You shameless brat!

It's to help us! I found it at the church!

Look at me, look here! Look at me!

We beg because we are poor.

But we do not steal.

- Name? - What's this?

- Name? - Xuxa.

Your real name, girl! The name on your ID.

Look here, woman. This is some sort of scam.

But we've been on the road without a job forever!

I've never seen anything like this.

I've never seen a man as stubborn as you.

What's weird is to go to Rio de Janeiro on bikes...

with five children, don't you think?

Hiring men, women and children.

No education required.

Let's go! Let's go!

Get in!

Boy, lift your head.

Shy.

- Send in the next batch! - Excuse me it's just...

Panama has people waiting. Take your paper and wait.

We don't even know what this is about.

This time you'll listen. It's a job for you.

It's even a job for Clevis, Rodney, and Suelena.

Now listen here:

I can't stand the road anymore.

I can't stand the bicycles!

I can't stand seeing the kids go hungry!

Let's go!

Come on!

Are you taking the bicycle, tycoon?

Look, friend, I'm no tycoon...

but I can't be without these bicycles.

Panama, can he take bicycles?

Mr. Panama, we can't be without the bicycles.

We came a long way on them.

Well, it's not only the bicycle that stays.

You aren't on the list, neither is the shy one.

Without my family, how can I go?

Some go and some stay? That won't do.

Squeeze every one inside. Go!

Let's go! Let's go! Up!

Only those selected can go in.

- But without my family... - That's final.

Go on, we'll stay here. Go on!

What can they be doing inside?

What kind of job did they give them?

Ladies and gentlemen!

The Road in the Clouds Park welcomes you...

and presents the next attraction of our nighttime performances.

But first a few announcements about the daytime attractions.

Sea Adventure, Discovering the Discovery...

and the fantastic Navigating with Cabral...

offer a 20% discount for senior citizens.

And here it comes, the big attraction of the evening.

The true, the original, Quarup...

Performed by real Pataxo Indians.

The Quarup, as you know, is the Indians' Christmas party.

The Halloween of the Rainforest.

Yes, the Rainforest's Halloween.

With you, Quarup!

Antonio!

Antonio!

Let me help you!

Never again! Do you hear me?

You'll never make me take a job I don't feel right about.

Do you want to die?

But... Antonio!

For heaven's sake!

- Gideao, is Neguica rich? - What?

- Neguica. Is he rich? - Yes!

I'm rich for the night.

Tell him, Chupa-Cabra.

Neguica has been saving up for this night for 20 years.

When he was a boy, they told him he wouldn't live long...

He wouldn't make it to 30. Do you know what today is?

It's this son of a gun's birthday!

I didn't die.

I didn't die, you stupid jerks!

Let's go, boy!

Mermaids can also have drinks on me.

You are beautiful!

You devil! How do you leave your mother...

your little brothers and sister?

Your father's right, you're God's way of punishing us!

And you just stand there?

- Say something! - Enough!

Let's go, it's a long way to Rio de Janeiro.

Antonio, take Rodnei.

I'm staying here!

What did you say?

Listen here, boy!

I'm your mother! I tell you what to do!

You have no choice!

Stay alone here... Do you think you're your own boss?

- You're not! - Yes, he is.

A son must respect his parents, but...

they don't own him.

But, man...

A mother gives life, but...

doesn't own her child.

Rodney, go with Clevis.

- Let's go. Come on! - Suelena!

Oh, you!

Hi!

- Hi. - Hi, my mermaid.

Hi, my Panama.

What are you doing standing there, boy?

- What's that? - It's for her!

Do you know what this is, boy? It's a woman.

You have to be a real man to handle this.

- I am a man! - A man?

Welcome to Guarapari, in the state of Espirito Santo.

This is Nazareth Station 1, where you'll find everything...

a trucker needs: Mechanics, oil change...

Rodney?

Oh, you crazy kid!

Well, look here!

Antonio! Come here!

This isn't a job for me...

but it's one for you.

Can I have a cigarette?

The next one you'll buy with your own money.

We'll get lost in this world, Antonio.

We'll never find each other again.

Is this Rio de Janeiro?

If you intend

To find out who I am

I can tell you

Get in my car

On the Santos road

And you'll get To know Who I am

- You will think I don't - How much, please?

- One dollar, please. - Even like myself

And that at my age

Only speed is my companion

I only ride alone And on my way

Time runs shorter

I need help Please give me a hand

I live all alone

If on a curve I remember my world

Are you selling me that bike or not?

No, sir.

He says he came from the north, with his family on bikes.

My Lord!

I prefer the curves On Santos road

Where I try to forget

A love that I had

And I saw through the mirror Vanish in the distance

Bad day!

- Could you tell me something? - Sure.

The bridge over there.

Is that the way to Brasilia?

No, to go to Brasilia you take Washington Luis.

Now here's the deal.

We traveled for six months on those bikes to get here.

We're not going back on the road.

But if the love that I lost I find again

The curves end

And on the Santos road I'll no longer go

No I'll no longer go

I prefer the curves On Santos road

Where I try to forget

A love that I had

And I saw through the mirror Vanish in the distance

But if the love that I lost I find again

The curves will end

And on the Santos road I'll no longer go

No, no, no, no, no

On the Santos road

The curves will end And I'll no longer go

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