Buenos Aires, 1976. A city simmering with unspoken fear beneath a veneer of normalcy. Tom Michell, a disillusioned English teacher at St. Andrew’s College, felt the weight of the world pressing down, even before he stumbled upon a peculiar sight on a Uruguayan beach: a penguin, oiled and abandoned. “The Penguin Lessons” begin not with noble intent, but a reckless impulse. Tom, played by Steve Coogan, impulsively names the penguin Juan Salvado, smuggling him back to Argentina. Back at the austere school, Headmaster Buckle, portrayed by Jonathan Pryce, raises a dubious eyebrow at the disruption but tacitly allows Juan Salvado to stay. Maria, the kind-hearted housekeeper, secretly feeds Juan Salvado sardines as the penguin slowly starts affecting the closed-off boys; Diego, is the first boy to connect with the unusual bird, showing him affection. The school, and Tom himself, begin to thaw as the shadow of political unrest begins to loom larger.
The Penguin Lessons Movie Overview
Title | The Penguin Lessons |
---|---|
Release Status | Released |
Release Date | 2025-03-27 |
Runtime | 1 hours and 51 minutes |
Genre | Drama |
Original Language | En |
Spoken Language | English, Spanish |
Country | Spain, United Kingdom |
Production Co. | 42, Nostromo Pictures, Rolling Dice, Intake Films |
The Penguin Lessons Movie Cast
Name | Character |
---|---|
Steve Coogan | Tom Michell |
Jonathan Pryce | Headmaster Buckle |
Vivian El Jaber | Maria |
Björn Gustafsson | Tapio |
Alfonsina Carrocio | Sofia |
David Herrero | Diego |
Micaela Breque | Carina |
Tomás Pozzi | Bursar |
Ramiro Blas | Márquez |
Juan Barreiro | Uruguayan Police Officer |
Aimar Miranda | Ernesto |
Nicanor Fernandez | Igor |
Hugo Fuertes | Ramiro |
Bruno Blas | Armed Guard |
Julia Fossi | Anna |
Brendan McNamee | Cooper |
Joaquín Lopez | Víctor |
Miguel Alejandro Serrano | Walter |
Gerardo Maleh | Santino |
Francesca Vaccari | Tango Dancer |
Florencia Nocetti | Nora |
Romina Cocca | Woman at Beach Café |
Dodi de Miquel | Man at Beach Café |
Osvaldo Ayre | Customs Officer |
Silvia de Esteban | Clothes Shop Owner |
Liam Mayne | Alejandro |
Julián Galli Guillén | Soldier at Zoo |
Ailén Maciel | Zoo Keeper |
Ana Carolina Parisi | Therese |
Josefina Montserrat | Edita |
The Penguin Lessons Movie Storyline
In the turbulent year of 1976 Argentina, Tom Michell, played by Steve Coogan, a disillusioned English teacher at an exclusive boys’ school, finds his life irrevocably altered by a most unusual arrival. After a drunken escapade in Uruguay, Tom rescues a penguin, whom he affectionately names Juan Salvador, and smuggles him back to Buenos Aires. The stoic halls of the school, usually echoing with Latin recitations, are soon filled with the comical waddling of Juan Salvador, much to the initial consternation of Headmaster Buckle. However, the penguin’s presence slowly begins to thaw the rigid atmosphere, captivating both students and faculty. Among those most affected is Maria, the school’s empathetic cleaning lady, who develops a special bond with the creature and witnesses Tom’s transformation. As the political situation worsens, with unrest and disappearances becoming commonplace, the innocent joy brought by Juan Salvador becomes a vital source of hope. Even the cynical teacher Tapio finds himself reluctantly charmed by the penguin’s antics. But as the authorities’ grip tightens, Tom must make a difficult choice: risk everything to protect Juan Salvador or succumb to the oppressive reality closing in, ultimately learning that even in the darkest of times, compassion can be a powerful act of defiance.
The Penguin Lessons Movie Details
Set against the turbulent backdrop of 1976 Argentina, as political unrest simmers and threatens to boil over, “The Penguin Lessons” tells the heartwarming story of Tom Michell, played by Steve Coogan, a disillusioned English teacher at an exclusive boys’ school. Tom’s life takes an unexpected turn when he rescues a penguin from a beach in Uruguay and brings it back to Argentina, naming him Juan Salvador. The arrival of Juan Salvador disrupts the rigid structure of the school, run by the stern Headmaster Buckle, portrayed by Jonathan Pryce. As Tom navigates the challenges of caring for a penguin in a Buenos Aires boarding school, his interactions with his students, including the bright and inquisitive Diego, and the kind-hearted housemaid Maria, begin to thaw his hardened exterior. The penguin becomes a catalyst for change, inspiring Tom and his students to embrace compassion and empathy amidst the growing chaos outside the school walls. Amidst budding friendships and touching moments the story weaves a tale of hope and resilience, exploring themes of connection, finding joy in unexpected places, and the transformative power of kindness during times of political upheaval. Even Carina, often aloof, finds herself captivated by the charm and innocence of Juan Salvador, highlighting his universal appeal and the unifying effect he has on the school community.
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The Penguin Lessons Movie FAQs
What is the plot of The Penguin Lessons?
The Penguin Lessons tells the story of an English teacher in 1976 Argentina who forms an unlikely friendship with a penguin amidst the country’s descent into violence.
When is The Penguin Lessons scheduled to be released?
The movie is scheduled for release on March 27, 2025.
What genre does The Penguin Lessons belong to?
The Penguin Lessons is a drama.
Who are the main actors in The Penguin Lessons?
The main actors include Steve Coogan, who plays Tom Michell, and Jonathan Pryce, who plays Headmaster Buckle.
Where was The Penguin Lessons filmed, or what countries were involved in its production?
The movie was produced in Spain and the United Kingdom.
Who directed The Penguin Lessons?
Peter Cattaneo directed The Penguin Lessons.
Is The Penguin Lessons based on a book?
Yes, it is based on a book by Tom Michell.
What is the runtime of The Penguin Lessons?
The runtime of the movie is 111 minutes.
What is the tagline for The Penguin Lessons?
The tagline is “In 1976 Argentina, on the eve of a political revolution, a teacher and his students at an exclusive boys school are enlightened by an unusual guest.”
What are some of the production companies involved in The Penguin Lessons?
Some of the production companies include 42, Nostromo Pictures, Rolling Dice, and Intake Films.