The Penguin Lessons (2024)
Screening as part of the 2025 From Page To Screen film festival
Introduced by festival curator Andrew Chater
We are delighted to be showing one of 2025’s most heartwarming films. It’s a true story. It stars Steve Coogan. And a very cute (albeit smelly) penguin. What more could you want?
Coogan plays a disillusioned British teacher who takes a job in Argentina in 1976 during a brutal period in the country’s history. He finds his life transformed both personally and politically when he rescues an oil-covered penguin from the beach – and moves it into his school rooms. Adapted from Cornish teacher Tom Michell’s memoir, the comedy-drama was written by Jeff Pope, Coogan’s frequent collaborator, and directed by Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty), demonstrating once again his extraordinary ability to combine humour and heart.
Dir. Peter Cattaneo, UK/Spain 2024, 110 mins. With Steve Coogan, Björn Gustafsson, Vivian El Jaber, Jonathan Pryce, Alfonsina Carrocio.
Certificate 12A
Film starts at 20.00
Screening sponsored by Country House Weekends at Symondsbury Manor
Please note that this film will be screened at Bridport Electric Palace.
Click the button below to visit the Electric Palace website to purchase your tickets.
Reviews
The movie has shades of 'Philomena', 'Dead Poets Society' and 'The Holdovers'. Sarcastic, full of dry wit and humour and tearjerking. Thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying.
Coogan displays precision comic timing… His scenes with the wonderful Björn Gustafsson, as an ingenuous colleague baffled by irony and sarcasm, are a delight.