If only our global leaders would have heeded to Sir John Falstaff’s caution that ‘Discretion is the better part of Valour’. But obviously, they have better things to do than read Shakespeare!

So the pointless, unwarranted and uncalled war started by ‘My Friend Doland’, instigated by ‘His Friend Yahoo’ continues to rock the globe. But if you want to shun such duplicitous ‘friendships’ that guarantee a toxic legacy of human and environmental tragedy, and get transported into a poignant exploration of human and animal connect, then watch ‘My Penguin Friend’ on Netflix.

Movies have a unique power to transport us into worlds we've never imagined. But very few have the depth in story telling that feels so profoundly real. So if you want to deafen the sounds of the bombs and the missiles to listen to an adorable, inspiring story that navigates through the complexities of grief; if you want to watch the highs and lows and overall love shared between a Man and a Penguin; and if you want your faith in humanity to be renewed in these dark times; then ‘My Penguin Friend’ is a must watch.

My personal investment in the film was quite deep, affecting me more than I expected. Maybe because in a narrative which is handled with so much of grace and intelligence, the human Joao considers DinDim- the Penguin, as his ‘friend’. Not his ‘pet’. Like the fisherman, I also strongly believe that animals are not only our allies and our companions but also our teachers.

In some ways the film reminded me of ‘Hachi- A Dog’s Tale’, another profoundly moving film that had captured the essence of Loyalty, Love, and Loss with heartbreaking simplicity. But that was a Man’s Best Friend. This is a Migratory Aquatic Seabird.

It is an animal clad in nature’s tuxedo of black and white, flapping its flippers in excitement, squawking in confusion, waddling and wobbling with a delightful patter, just like a little child.That is why it is so comically refreshing. And to top it all, the Penguin also rewarded its rescuer with annual visits for EIGHT consecutive years. I mean, which ‘friend’ does that?

What makes it more powerful is that it is based on true events where the actual clips are shown at the end of the film. DinDim the Penguin, with its inbuilt GPS, kept returning, swimming over five thousand miles between Valdés Peninsula, Argentina, and Ilha Grande, Brazil. And even if ‘inspired’ usually means highly fictionalized, SO WHAT? In a warring world of violence and despair, if a film ensures laughter, tears and a heartfelt connection or teaches you some valuable lessons of a complex animal-human relationship, isn’t it worth it? What with propaganda dominating cinema, when was the last time you saw something that left you feeling good about humanity?

The part movie/part commentary tearjerker begins when a vulnerable bird strays from its migratory path and washes up on the beach covered in oil. OIL- isn’t that what the humans are fighting for? Anyway, it is rescued by a Brazilian fisherman with a broken heart. It is metaphorical for Joao because the sea that takes a loved one also brings back someone new, pulling him out of the guilt and the isolation he had sunk into. And through this unbreakable bond, he feels an emotion he hasn’t felt in a long time- Happiness.

DinDim is definitely the star, even if the penguin’s only lines are ‘cooing’ and ‘clucking’. There is also a childlike sense of wonder in this human-animal bond that is built on small gestures and a lot of patience. While the conflict with the scientists adds a bit of tension, what truly matters is the respect shown toward Nature. And when DinDim is treated by everyone as equals in a world where animals are harmed, traded like assets and utilized for questionable experiments, it makes you consider whether penguins might make better friends than people.

There are quite a few laughs and silly moments. I mean, with a Penguin as a main character, what else can you expect? But pull that back and it really is a redemption and growth story about a simple couple living in a small fishing village. Some scenes are so tender, that at times it feels like a quiet hug on the TV screen.

The message of resilience and empathy is strong and clear: Be kind and your relationship with animals will be enormously beneficial- to everyone concerned. Be selfish and interfere with nature under the guise of ‘Research’ and no one wins.

Watching the film might not change your world. But it will definitely give a hugging assurance that small acts of compassion can make a big difference. So if you need a little emotional re-set, this sincere, sweet, noble story will definitely help you step out of a bizarre, crazy loop to regain control of your emotions. I can vouch for the fact that this film isn’t worth just a single watch. It’s worth millions!

Needless to say, now Penguins are my third favorite animal. After Dogs, and Cats! As for my own species- well, what can I say? We are truly unique- in damaging habitats, polluting the environs, threatening the global ecosystem.

We are experts in killing for reasons beyond survival. Armed with primary tools like Greed, Jealousy, Power and Sport and fortified with advanced weapons, that should easily make us a hundred times more destructive to the globe than even the major predators like Sharks!



Latest News