Exploring the Frozen, Fascinating World of “Penguins” at Walt Disney Studios

By Melanie Gable

*I was invited as media to attend a press screening of Disneynature’s “Penguins” at Walt Disney Studios. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There’s something about penguins. Is it their endearing waddle? Their tuxedo-like feathers? Their fortitude against harsh weather conditions? Their playfulness as they slide down icy hills or take turns hopping into the ocean for a refreshing swim?

Whatever the reason, penguins are arguably one of the most beloved animals in pop culture, inspiring documentaries, animated films, children’s books, online games, and more, especially over the past two decades.

Disneynature is now taking on these adorable avian creatures with the new feature film “Penguins.” Just in time for Earth Day, audiences are invited to follow the true life adventures of Steve, an Adélie penguin who sets out on a coming-of-age quest to become a family man…er, bird. He faces the challenges that come with living in the wilds of Antarctica – from predators like seals and orcas, to the simple inability to impress a female mate – and makes us laugh along the way.

To celebrate the release of “Penguins,” we were invited to a press screening of the movie at the Walt Disney Studios lot, followed by a Q&A with Producer Roy Conli.

Directed by Alastair Fothergill (“Bears,” “Chimpanzee”) and Jeff Wilson (“Monkey Kingdom”), “Penguins” follows in the footsteps of Disneynature’s past films by featuring stunning cinematography, a window into a rarely-seen pocket of the natural world, and a mix of suspense, heartbreak, and humor. But “Penguins” has an even lighter touch than many of Disneynature’s past offerings, emphasizing the inherently funny characteristics of Adélies with laugh-out-loud music cues and narration by Ed Helms (“The Office,” “The Hangover” trilogy, “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”), an actor known for great comedic timing and improv skills.

While recording his dialogue for the film, Helms was charmed by the footage of Steve and his fellow penguins. “Even though they’re birds, they’re really aquatic creatures, and in the water they’re unbelievably graceful and elegant, fast and agile. But on land, they’re so awkward; they walk with this sort of weird wobble. And yet, they have such spirit and moxie because they persevere in these crazy Antarctic conditions.”

Adélie penguins are named after the wife of French explorer Jules Dumont d’Urville, who discovered the species in 1840. Growing to only around two feet tall, Adélies are smaller than their Antarctic neighbors, Emperor penguins, but possess oversized temperaments.
Said Fothergill, “People may be more familiar with Emperor penguins, but they’re actually pretty mellow. I like to say that Emperor penguins are the California surfers and Adélie penguins are New York City taxi drivers. They have attitude. They’re feisty. They have an extraordinary amount of expression in their eyes. They almost look animated. And I knew—with their big personalities—the film would have a lot of comedy.”

Described by Conli as an “everypenguin,” the aptly named Steve is a five-year-old Adélie who struggles with first-time fatherhood, leading to some nail-biting, hilarious, and downright gross moments that human parents are sure to find relatable. We watch as Steve builds a nest, fights off rock-stealing male competitors, attracts a mate named Adeline, and shares parenting duties with his penguin partner. We chuckle at Steve’s missteps (sometimes literally, as he is often slipping on the ice), root for him and his family, and marvel at his ability to survive what seem like insurmountable obstacles in the frigid Antarctic climate. Though Steve’s behavior is entertaining, any film that is true to nature is sure to include scenes that are hard to watch for those who are sensitive to animal peril, and may even prompt some in the audience to cover their eyes in suspense.

“There are still places left on Earth that are remote, untouched by human presence and where real-life dramas play out on a daily basis,” says Wilson. “Adélie penguins deserve our respect and adoration and stewardship for the fact that they are superbly adapted to living in one of the harshest continents on Earth.”

“Penguins” was filmed over the course of three years by a world-renowned group of polar experts. They literally immersed themselves in the environments of their subjects, following the Adélies across icy landscapes and underwater, shooting for nearly 900 camera days. “These locations may be the hardest locations to get to of any Disneynature film we’ve made so far,” said Fothergill. “It’s hard to think of a tougher habitat on the planet.”

Editor Andy Netley was given the challenging task of sorting through the many hours of footage to carve out a compelling narrative arc and keep the focus squarely on the film’s star penguin. “Disneynature movies are unique because they’re so character driven. We definitely wanted to do an emotional and informative story, but above all, it’s Steve’s story.”

Moviegoers of all ages are sure to be captivated by “Penguins,” which is the first Disneynature film to be released in IMAX. Audiences can also help aid conservation efforts by seeing the movie during opening week (April 17-23, 2019). For every ticket sold during this time, Disneynature will make a donation to the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), which helps protect penguins across the southern hemisphere. WCN supports an elite network of on-the-ground conservationists, including the Global Penguin Society (GPS), the worldwide leader in science-based penguin conservation and a champion of specific programs that align with Disneynature’s mission. For the past ten years, Disneynature has empowered audiences to help make a difference, with each new movie supporting the conservation of the wildlife featured in the films