In the film My Penguin Friend, Adriana Barraza (Oscar nominee Mexican actress) portrays a wife dealing with many levels of heart breaking trauma, but still has love, support and then renewed hope when DinDim the penguin enters their life.

Note: I was invited as media for #MyPenguinFriend screening and interview. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

For me, Adriana's role as Maria, wife of João (Jean Reno) was just as key to the storytelling as the main "man and penguin" connection.

I was able to interview Adriana Barraza, and ask her more about her role, the importance of seeing Hispanic families in films and of course, what it's like working with a penguin.

Advice for other women/families dealing with sadness. And finding ways to move forward

Adriana Barraza: I don't feel that it would be appropriate to give any advice in the face of one of the biggest and most painful losses in life, a person suffering when loosing a child or loved one.

The only thing I can share from my personal experience with loss, in general, is that I feel you must trust in time, patience, your personal spiritual faith. Faith in life and faith in nature.

All those combined can alleviate the pain in some way with time.

Adriana Barraza: I believe that resilience comes from the inner depths of our soul. If you have more children, a partner or people who equally need you as much as you need them, that can be a driving force that helps us to keep moving forward.

Did you have fun working with the Penguin

Adriana Barraza: More than fun, it was a wonderful life lesson. The protocol to be able to work with the penguins began by maintaining absolute silence when they came on to the set.

Approaching them delicately, treating them respectfully and communicating with them based on the atmosphere of mutual respect, not only for them, but for the nature they represent.

I always thought that those moments gave all of us the opportunity to be the best version of ourselves in front of them. And that was very beautiful to witness!

How important to show Hispanic families in movies

Adriana Barraza: It is always an extremely important opportunity to have positive representation of all our Hispanic communities through the narrative of storytelling, filmmaking and movies, in this case.

And it is always a great pleasure to be able to have a story as beautiful as this one, where we can praise such important values as unconditional friendship, forgiveness for oneself and others, hope, second chances, the power of community, etc.

And fortunately we have all this in our beautiful and moving film!

My Other Related Posts

• Interview Jean Reno & David Schurmann for My Penguin Friend
• Interview Alexia Moyano for My Penguin Friend

The heartwarming story of friendship and adventure, My Penguin Friend arrives on Digital (SRP: $14.99) and On Demand (SRP:$5.99) from Lionsgate on October 1.

SYNOPSIS

Inspired by the incredible true story of DinDim the Penguin, My Penguin Friend tells the story of a little lost penguin who-after being rescued from an oil spill-transforms the life and soul of the heartbroken fisherman.

The penguin and the fisherman become unlikely friends, so bonded that even the vast ocean cannot divide them.

My Penguin Friend (2024) Official Trailer



The uplifting story features Jean Reno ( Leon: The Professional ), Academy Award Nominee Adriana Barraza ( Babel ), Alexia Moyano (“ The Kingdom”) and Nicolás Francella (“Victoria Small”).

Directed by David Schurmann and Produced by Steven P. Wegner, known for family films including The Garfield Movie and Dolphin Tale 2.

Learn more, visit - www.mypenguinfriend.com