By Jeri Jacquin | August 15, 2024
Films
Jacquin, Jeri
From director David Schurmann and Roadside Attractions, the incredible story of unusual friendship “MY PENGUIN FRIEND” is coming to cinemas.
On the coast of Brazil, fisherman Joao (Jean Reno) and his wife Maria (Adriana Barraza) live a quiet life after a tragedy. Joao has spent his years avoiding the villagers and keeping to himself. One morning, as he is launching his boat to go fishing, he sees something floating in the water. He runs to the object and discovers that it is an oil-stained penguin.
He quickly brings the penguin home, feeds him fish, and washes the oil off his feathers. When Maria comes home, she discovers oil all over her house and a penguin in the bathroom! Seeing that Joao cares, she watches as her husband continues to spend time bathing and feeding the penguin.
Weeks pass and the penguin gets stronger and starts wandering around the village and back to Joao and Maria’s house. When the time comes for the penguin to return to his watery world, young Lucia (Duda Galvao) sees the penguin in Joao’s boat. When she finds out that he has no name, she suggests the name Dindim, which he likes, but Dindim, who keeps his distance from Joao, does not do so.
When the season changes, Dindim returns to his nest miles away. Plus, there are biologists studying penguins who find Dindim is very different from the other penguins on the beach. When the tuxedoed penguin returns to Joao, the village is delighted and it only takes one viral clip to change everything.
Reno is so charming in this role as Joao, especially because he spends most of his time isolated from the people of his village. It takes a little penguin to remind him what it means to love and care for someone who is not himself. Throughout the film, Reno brings heart and a deep soul to his character and his portrayal of this man comes across beautifully.
Barraza as Maria isn’t thrilled to have a penguin in her house, but seeing how her husband seems to open up makes up for it all. Barraza brings warmth and a sense of herself and the village she lives in to her character. I loved that about her, and the scene where she and Reno wait for Dindim is just so beautiful and loving.
Other cast members include Rochi Hernandez as Stephanie, Nicolas Francella as Carlos, Alexia Moyano as Adriana, Ravel Cabral as Paulo, Wilson Rabelo as Marcos, Mauricio Xavier as Oscar, Juan Jose Garnica as Miguel, Juan Queiroz as Pedro, Roberto Borenstein as Luis and Thalma de Freitas as Calista.
Roadside Attractions has grossed over $300 million since 2003 and has received 19 Academy Award nominations. Hit films include MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, BEN IS BACK, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS, WINTER’S BONE and THE COVER. For more information about Roadside Attractions’ offerings, visit www.roadsideattractions.com.
MY PENGUIN FRIEND was filmed on the beaches of Brazil, as Patagonia is home to nearly a million penguins. Personally, I wouldn’t mind spending the day on the beach surrounded by penguins, but this is the next best thing. Telling the story of a penguin traveling incredible distances to be with his friend is not only fantastic, but will melt your heart.
The story is about a unique friendship based on nothing more than two beings caring for each other, loving each other and understanding each other. Joao learns so much from his little friend and accepting his comings and goings is what we should all strive for in friendship and letting the creatures of the earth live.
I watched the film with my nine-year-old granddaughter, who not only fell in love with Dindim, but was also enthralled by certain aspects (no spoilers here, folks) of this unique penguin. By sharing it with her, I know that MY PENGUIN FRIEND is truly a family film and an experience that will be talked about long after the film is over.
Ultimately, this is an extraordinary friendship!
