A sweeping family adventure, My Penguin Friend is a triumphant tale of friendship between a lonely father and a little lost penguin who recharges his spirit and heals his family with an unshakable, ocean-crossing loyalty. Humble fisherman João (International star Jean Reno) has turned away from the world in the wake of tragedy.
But when he discovers a penguin drifting alone in the ocean, drenched in oil from a spill, his first instinct is to help. To his wife’s (Oscar nominee Adriana Barraza) dismay, he not only rescues the sea creature, but takes the flightless bird under his wing. For the first time in years João starts to feel joy, even if he cannot fathom just how unbreakable a bond is being formed.
When the penguin suddenly disappears back into the immense wilds of the ocean, João believes it is impossible that he will ever see his friend again. But thousands of miles away, the penguin is caught in misadventures of his own, determined to use his unique GPS-like powers to find his way back to the place he now considers home. Based on an emotional true story that riveted the world and filmed on the spectacular coasts of Brazil and Argentina, My Penguin Friend is a tale that traverses the magic of the ocean, the beauty of nature, and the transformative power of love.
Starring : Jean Reno (LEON: THE PROFESSIONAL, CALL MY AGENT), Adriana Barraza (BABEL, BLUE BEETLE) & introducing DinDim the penguin
Directed by: David Schurmann (LITTLE SECRET, Brazil’s Entry for 89th Oscar’s Best Foreign Language Film)
Written by: Paulina Lagudi, Kristen Lazarian
Cinematographer: Anthony Dod Mantle (28 DAYS LATER, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE)
Editing by: Teresa Font (PARALLEL MOTHERS, PAIN AND GLORY)
Music by: Fernando Velazquez (CRIMSON PEAK, THE IMPOSSIBLE)
Produced by: Robin Jonas, Shaked Berenson, Patrick Ewald, Nicolas Veinberg, Steven P. Wegner, Jonathan E. Lim, Andreas Wentz
Running Time : 97 Minutes
Rated : PG
Roadside Attractions will release MY PENGUIN FRIEND only in theaters on August 16th, 2024