Inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976.
Expecting an easy ride, Tom discovers a divided nation and a class of unteachable students. However, after he rescues a penguin from an oil-slicked beach, his life is turned upside-down. 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. Based on the novel The Penguin Lessons by Tom Michell and 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.
