The true story of the friendship between a Brazilian fisherman and a penguin comes to the big screen in “My Penguin Friend,” an uplifting film that producer Jonathan Lim hopes will offer a candid reminder of the undeniable pleasures of friendship and the importance of friendship. . to care about God’s creation.
“I think the pandemic and the turmoil that the world is experiencing today has shown us that we are all suffering losses to varying degrees,” Lim told The Christian Post. “That’s how you face this adversity, knowing that you can succeed. “through faith, from your circle of family and friends, and in this case, it would probably come from the most unlikely source, a penguin that comes into your life. We want other people to know that there are other sources of inspiration in your life. that can replace it in a positive way.
“My Penguin Friend” tells the true story of Joao (played by Jean Reno), an elderly Brazilian fisherman living on Provetá Beach in Ilha Grande, Brazil, who feeds on the pain after his son drowns his son in the sea
Years after his son’s death, Joao comes across Dindim, a barely alive Magellanic penguin covered in oil. After treating the penguin and training him to swim again, João thought his paths would never cross again. To his surprise, Din Dim returned year after year, swimming thousands of miles to his human friend.
“It’s a story of friendship, resilience and the strength of kindness,” Lim said. “We wanted to create a film that families could enjoy together, that would resonate with others of all ages. “
Dr. Lim, who has founded and led several biotech companies with valuations in excess of $1 billion, is currently President and CEO of Erasca, a company he co-founded in 2018 with the project to “eradicate cancer. “
Despite his extensive experience in healthcare, Lim’s penchant for storytelling led him to identify City Hill Arts in 2018, a production company focused on creating inspiring entertainment with impact.
Lim told CP that his transition from biotech to film was part of a broader preference to have a positive impact in other fields. After running biotech corporations for more than two decades, Lim took a sabbatical in 2017, during which she rekindled a love of film from her formative years. This led to the creation of City Hill Arts, which aims to produce independent genre films with compelling stories.
“My Penguin Friend,” directed by David Schurmann, is the first in a series of films that are compatible with this vision.
The PG-rated film tackles themes of loss, healing, and how to deal with God’s creation. Lim told CP that the inclusion of environmental issues, such as the effect of oil pollutants on wildlife, dovetails with the broader mission of City Hill Arts.
“We wanted to create a film that would make the audience think about their relationships with others and with the environment,” Lim said. “We wanted to show the importance of revitalizing the planet and that other activities have effects on our world. “The theme of this film is to be sensible and to be concerned stewards of the beautiful planet we live on. “
Despite the difficulties encountered in securing classic distribution, the film was discovered thanks to a popular marketing campaign. Roadside Attractions and Universal Pictures joined us as distribution partners.
“It’s hard to find a company with a clear strategy for family films, but we’re excited about the path we’ve taken,” Lim said.
Now that the film is finally hitting the big screen, Lim is eager to see what effect it will have on audiences.
“This film is about the strength of love and kindness in our relationships with others and with our planet, and that leads to stewardship,” he said. “We are all called to be wise stewards of the resources we are fortunate to possess. ” we have, and that includes the beautiful world we live in.
João Paulo Krajewski, a biologist and wildlife presenter on Globo TV who was the first to document Dindim’s story, told CNN in 2016 that most Magellanic penguins are “very loyal” to their mate and place of residence. nesting. Each and every one of them nest in the same position. year and with the same partner, he explained.
“Nothing in nature is one hundred percent, but that would be a rule for penguins, and they can be identified by their sounds,” he said. “Dindim knows where he is going when he arrives at Ilha Grande, since for 4 consecutive years he has been going alone to the same position in Mr. Joao’s yard. ”
Krajewski said he also saw Dindim’s Bill gently touch Joao’s face as if cleaning it. “This shows how close they are and how comfortable Dindim feels with Mr. João,” he said.
Looking ahead, City Hill Arts has a number of exciting projects, including “The Secret of Life,” a film about Rosalind Franklin, the scientist who discovered the double helix of DNA, and “Last Days,” a story about Christian missionary John Allen. Chau Lim also participates in “In the Beginning,” a film interpretation of the Seven Days of Creation.
“We are presenting some compelling films that address a number of complex issues,” he said. “We need to powerfully replace hearts and minds through those stories. “
“My Penguin Friend” opens Aug. 16, theater-only, Roadside Attractions. Visit the official website online for session locations and times.
Leah M. Klett is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: leah. klett@christianpost. com
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