My Penguin Friend (20023)  

I love interspecies films such as Fly Away, and Brazilian director David Schurmann’s film is a delightful addition to the genre. Based on a true story, it celebrates how kindness can result in a friendship that spans hundreds of miles of ocean.

Joao Perei de Souza (Jean Reno) and wife Maria (Adriana Barraza) are a fisher family who grieve when a storm overtakes the boat in which the father is giving his young son an early morning ride in celebration of the boy’s birthday. A storm comes up, and the father starts rowing for shore. Large waves capsize the small boat, with just the father making it to shore. Overwhelmed with grief, Joao withdraws from all social intercourse. The words of the Psalmist could well be a prayer of the heart-broken father, wrestling with guilt as well as sorrow.

One day while at the seashore Joao rescues from an oil slick a young penguin and takes him home for cleaning. Maria is not pleased to have a smelly, dirty bird in the house, but Joao insists, saying it is just for a limited time. He goes to a stack of knit caps once worn by their son, cuts off the top, and pulls it over the bird’s body to keep him warm.

Days pass, and Joao does not return the little creature to the sea. It follows its benefactor wherever he goes about the village. Everyone takes notice of the pair. A little girl, drawn by the spectacle of bird and man, gives it  a name, “DimDin,” which Joao accepts. The days pass as the small bird recovers and continues to follow Joao everywhere. Eventually the wife accepts the situation even when the curious little fellow makes a mess of her bathroom when it unrolls with its beak a roll of toilet paper.

Someone asks if the bird is a pet, and Joao replies, “No, he is a friend. He is free to come and go”. And DimDin does indeed, one day cannot be found. Joao follows the bird’s foottracks in the sand. They disappear at the water’s edge.

DimDin is following his instincts, swimming thousands of miles south to spawning grounds in Patagonia, Argentina. He joins thousands of other penguins there. Also living beside the myriads of penguins is a husband-wife team of naturalists and their teenage daughter. They study the comings and goings of the birds, keeping careful records. DimDin becomes one of the birds they tag with a GPS device.

Come spring, and DimDin returns to the village where he reunites with Joao and Maria. Both they and the villagers are delighted, no one expecting to see the penguin again. This happens over a period of several years. Word gets to a journalist who wants to film an interview. Turned down at first by the shy fisherman, the reporter gently persists, and Joao gives in. The story becomes a sensation, with the little penguin drawing thousands of fans.

Best of all, Joao’s wounded heart is healed, his relationships with Maria and neighbors restored. One more example of compassion for another bringing healing to a broken heart. To the credit of scriptwriters Kristen Lazarian and Paulina Lagudi Ulrich, no attempt is made to anthropomorphic the little bird. And it is cute enough in itself not to need any enhancement from them. With beautifully photographed scenery and thrilling underwater shots, the film is a delight to the eyes. It is good to see veteran actor Jean Reno, who has played supporting characters in a multitude of TV and theatrical films, assume the lead role. He is as believable as a simple peasant as he has been in his portrayal of a variety of more sophisticated characters.

Children should enjoy this film as much as adults, with the film instilling in viewers a sense of connection between humans and other creatures, as well as compassion for them.

 This review is in the August issue of VP along with a set of questions for reflection and/or discussion. If you have found reviews on this site helpful, please consider purchasing a subscription or individual issue in The Store.