Starring Oscar nominee Steve Coogan, The Penguin Lessons is a poignant dramedy inspired by a true story, set against the backdrop of Argentina’s political turmoil in 1976.
Tom (Coogan), a disillusioned Englishman, arrives in Buenos Aires to teach at a prestigious boarding school, expecting an easy experience. But as the city spirals into crisis, and his students remain unteachable, Tom’s life takes an unexpected turn when he rescues an oil-slicked penguin from a nearby beach. The bird’s surprising loyalty and unique presence forces Tom to confront his own repressed past and awaken to the responsibilities of both personal and political change.
Directed by Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty, Military Wives), this heartwarming film shows how even the most unlikely connections can spark profound change and self-discovery. We open the film at six of our seven theaters this Friday, March 28.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT: When I first read Tom Michell’s memoir The Penguin Lessons, I instinctively felt it could make a wonderful film. Tom’s tale of the unexpected bond between man and penguin in the setting of a British private school in 1976 Buenos Aires, captured my imagination and inspired me to tell this unique, original story on the big screen. Just like Tom’s rich source material, Jeff Pope’s adaptation captures the humor, heart, and complexities of the story flawlessly. Through his script, Jeff brilliantly finds the heart of an intriguing lead character.
At the start of the story, Tom is clearly in need of fixing. Yet, somehow, with Steve Coogan in the role, Tom’s grumpiness and cynicism maintains a dry humor that makes him enjoyable and entertaining to watch. As his character forms an emotional bond with the penguin Juan Salvador, Steve swings between heartbreak and warmth seamlessly, showing remarkable range as his character gradually comes back to life.
In his portrayal of Tom’s growing empathy for the pupils and staff of St George’s College, and his awakened political awareness, Steve gives a truly outstanding performance. His work in the film amazes me, and I feel so fortunate that he was the one to bring Tom to life. Working with screen legend Jonathan Pryce was an honor. His natural instinct for balancing humor and gravitas make him the perfect actor to play headmaster Buckle. Collaborating with him and Steve in two-hander scenes were some of the most enjoyable days I have experienced as a director.
At script stage, we decided to expand on the source material, adding elements that reflect the atrocities carried out by the military dictatorship at the time our story unfolds. Our lead character, Tom is somewhat shielded from events unfolding on the streets of Buenos Aires, not only by the school’s walls, but also by his own blinkered outlook. However, we felt we couldn’t tell a story set in 1976 Argentina without addressing the brutal inhumanity that was taking place. The key was to find the right balance, showing the tragic impact of the regime on two of our supporting characters, whilst keeping the story of Tom’s redemption and awakening at the center of the narrative. I hope that through a movie with broad appeal, those in the audience who know little or nothing about Argentina’s history will be made aware and find themselves motivated to find out more.
The Latin American cast including Vivian El Jaber, Alfonsina Carrocio and Ramiro Blass, as well as being terrific actors, were all valuable collaborators when it came to recreating an authentic mood of 1976 Argentina. Although laced with period detail, I aimed to give the film a timeless, fable-like quality.
Juan Salvador, is a small Magellanic penguin. Like all our favorite pets, his charm comes partly from his imperfections. He can be stubborn. He’s quite scruffy, and he stinks of pungent fish. Working to capture him on camera called for an unorthodox, naturalistic approach. I encouraged the cast and crew to stay patient and reactive, embracing the unexpected from the penguin. This way, I found the door was opened to unscripted magic. His little moments of spontaneity brought joy to the cast and crew alike and resulted in some of my favorite scenes in the film. – PETER CATTANEO
WORKING WITH THE PENGUINS: Coogan worked closely with two real penguins, Baba and Richard for most of the film. He spent weeks getting to know them before filming began, visiting their living quarters, talking to them, and holding them to build familiarity. Coogan mentioned, “By the time I was on set, I was comfortable picking them up. When we said goodbye, it was very emotional. They disarm you. Human beings are too inward-looking and preoccupied with things that aren’t important. These birds remind you not to take everything so seriously.”
Peter Cattaneo highlighted that different penguins have slightly different personalities. Some are more active, some are friendly, others more reserved. Initially the team didn’t know what to expect, having only seen penguins in zoos.
While some scenes used a puppet or robot penguin, most featured the real birds, which required Coogan to adapt to their unpredictable behavior and use his improvisation skills to handle unexpected moments on set. Coogan noted, “Fortunately, I’ve done a lot of improvisation in my career, so I know not to freeze when animals aren’t behaving as planned. You lean into it instead of pushing back against it. That can lead to some of the best moments.” Coogan developed a strong bond with the penguins, finding their presence disarming and a reminder not to take life too seriously, making saying goodbye to them an emotional experience.
this movie was amazing and I can’t wait to see it again with the wife. See it.
Brilliant movie, worth every penny.
Saw the film at TIFF and fell in love. Kudos to Coogan for such seamless improv with the penguins. Such a needed feel good movie