This weekend Helen and I saw March of the Penguins, a documentary about the death-defying march that colonies of emperor penguins of Antarctica take each year in order to produce offspring. A French film crew travels along with the penguins, and Morgan Freeman provides narration. National Geographic recently interviewed the director.
The film is filled with light and heavy moments--Light when a penguin falls, and becomes grumpy when his companions admonish him. Heavy when we see one penguin traveling alone, thereby facing certain death sometime during the harsh winter.
A fascinating role reversal occurs once the egg is produced. The mother departs to find food for the new penguin, while the father protects the egg and waits for the mother to return. Once the mothers return several months later--at least, those mothers that survive--the fathers temporarily sever their emotional ties with the children and set out to gather food themselves.
The best part of watching the movie, although it may be surprising, was that many kids were in the audience. They laughed at the silly parts and became sad when the adults did. Helen and I left with a desire that we will be as cooperative as the penguins in raising our own kids.
I am very much looking forward to seeing this movie. My mom has been a penguin fanatic for years, and I have learned to respect the penguin. I don't know if I'll make it to Nashville or Atlanta to see it on the big screen, but it is already saved in my Netflix queue.
Posted by: Cynthia | July 11, 2005 at 07:48 PM
I just saw this movie today. What was striking about it to me was the fact that the *entire* audience was 27 years or older. No kids at all.
Posted by: Bill Cash | July 31, 2005 at 08:43 PM