The Penguin Lessons

The Penguin Lessons is a quietly powerful and unexpectedly timely film set against the turbulent backdrop of 1976 Argentina, a nation sliding from democracy into military dictatorship. Though the film never names General Jorge Rafael Videla or speaks of the regime’s atrocities, the atmosphere of fear and censorship hums ominously in the background. This restraint proves to be one of the film’s greatest strengths, allowing history to impact the film without overwhelming it. The photo below has nothing to do with the movie, just an image symbolizing oppression and tyranny.

At the center of the film is Tom Michell (Steve Coogan), a depressed and disillusioned British teacher working at an elite boarding school near Buenos Aires. While traveling in Uruguay, Michell rescues an oil-soaked penguin and, on impulse, smuggles it back to Argentina. The penguin, charmingly named Juan Salvador, initially serves as comic relief—hiding in tote bags, trailing Michell through hallways, and endearing himself to students and staff alike.

As Argentina’s political climate darkens, however, Juan Salvador evolves into something more symbolic. The penguin becomes a living metaphor for innocence under siege, truth, and quiet resistance. Students find inspiration in his presence. The once-rigid headmaster (Jonathan Pryce) begins to soften and subtly challenge authority, and Michell himself moves from cynical detachment to moral courage.

Adapted from Tom Michell’s 2015 autobiographical book, The Penguin Lessons unfolds slowly but deliberately into a warm, heartfelt, and surprisingly moving story. Its gentle humor and emotional sincerity never distract from its deeper message: that small acts of compassion and integrity can matter profoundly, even—or especially—under tyranny.

Written August 2025 – the month the Sydney Sweeney “Good Jeans” ad became a political issue for some insufferable reason.