43/11
Starring Academy Award nominee Steve Coogan, this touching comedy-drama from director Peter Cattaneo follows an Englishman’s personal and political awakening after he adopts a penguin during a catastrophic period in Argentine history. “I was young and idealistic,” says Tom, a new teacher at a boarding school in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1976, “but I quickly realized that the reality is different.” Straightforward, hedonistic and unsentimental, Tom is unmoved by unfortunate stories or events. He makes excuses for his shortcomings and inertia. However, when penguins covered in industrial oil wash up on a beach and fascists seize power in a coup, Tom experiences a profound awakening in spite of himself. Steve Coogan (Tom) and Jonathan Pryce star in this true story filled with wit, warmth, counterintuitive discoveries, humor, drama and hilarious penguin antics. The dialogue, characters, story, and acting have real depth. The Penguin Lessons was filmed in Spain with an Argentine cast. Many of the actors lived through the recent dictatorship in Argentina and add authenticity to the story. At the film’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, I was deeply moved to realize that one person, or one penguin, can make a huge difference in the world in the face of such an evil and violent tragedy. Rise up like lions from your slumber In invincible numbers Shake off your chains from the earth like the dew That fell upon you in your sleep You are many, they are few., – Shelley.