A new film titled “The Penguin Lessons,” directed by Steve Coogan, explores the complexities of wealth, community, and political turbulence through the story of a Briton teaching expatriate children in Argentina. The movie centers around a reluctant, accidental hero. They save a penguin from starvation and work to defend their neighbors from harassment at the hands of a newly elected, far-right government.
Set against the backdrop of Argentina, “The Penguin Lessons” is based on a true story that captures the challenges faced by both the protagonist and the local community. As an outsider, the Briton wrestles with his place in a strange culture. Curious and generous, he has gone to great lengths to reach out to and engage the diverse local community and population. The film beautifully demonstrates how art and culture can help people connect to their communities, especially when they’re seemingly out of place.
Through Coogan’s directorial vision, these characters challenge us to get real about this fraudulent society we’ve built. It zeroes in particularly on people who live in what the film dubs a “wealthy cocoon.” This story is a condemnation of late-stage capitalism. It spotlights the extent to which wealthy households are able to isolate themselves from the larger world and its obligations. In so doing, they make it much easier for pro classes and plutocrats to come in and work their mischief, and those forces profit from this posturing.
The Penguin Lessons similarly warns of the dangers posed by radical right policies in countries around the world, including the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany. It underscores how affluent baby boomers tend to vote more frequently than younger demographics, which can skew political landscapes and lead to policies that prioritize family units over communal welfare.
The film warns against the dangers of focusing solely on close-knit family structures while casting a cold eye on those less fortunate. This activist message permeates the documentary’s storyline, urging audiences to look hard at their role and responsibility within society.
Through Coogan’s bold, passionate lens, this story seeks to inspire audiences to rethink how they explore their own neighborhoods. The film’s main character reflects the truth that many of us need to have our privilege illuminated. Their goal is to create authentic relationships with everyone in their community.
In an academic context, the film’s implications resonate with experts like Ben Ansell, a professor of comparative democratic institutions at Nuffield College, Oxford. He states:
“fuck around, don’t find out” – Ben Ansell
Her comment wraps up the movie’s warning message about an apathetic public and its responsibility to engage in politics. Yet the plot serves as a cautionary tale of all that can happen when people ignore the dynamics of governance. It further underscores that community engagement is central to transportation decision-making.
As audiences experience “The Penguin Lessons,” they are invited to reflect on their lifestyles and consider how they might contribute to or detract from communal well-being. The documentary invites audiences to deeply interrogate the most urgent social questions of our day, even as we move through harrowing moral terrain.