The touching drama about a teacher and his penguin was actually filmed in Spain, despite the film's setting in Argentina. Principal photography took place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Cambrils, Sant Esteve Sesrovires, and Coma-ruga in Catalonia. These locations were chosen for their southern landscapes and architecture, which helped recreate the Argentine atmosphere.
Parc Samà in Cambrils became a key filming location thanks to its beautiful gardens and architecture, allowing the recreation of a school in Argentina. In Coma-ruga, a seaside resort with sandy beaches, scenes where the protagonist finds the penguin were shot. To recreate the atmosphere of Buenos Aires, locations in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria were used, capturing the spirit of the Argentine capital in the 1970s. The choice of these diverse filming locations helped create a visually rich world for the film and highlight its key themes of friendship, care, and kindness. Each location was carefully selected to enhance the emotional impact of the film and make it more memorable for viewers.

Filming Locations:

School

In the Film

Scene where Tom gets a job at an elite boarding school. The protagonist, British English teacher Tom Mitchell, leaves his native England and moves to South America. He takes a job at an elite boarding school in Argentina in 1976, against the backdrop of political crisis and a military coup. Tom is disillusioned with his life and struggles to connect with unruly students, but his life changes when he finds a weakened penguin covered in oil on the ocean shore.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Parc Samà in Cambrils, Catalonia. This is a unique botanical and zoological garden created in 1881 by the Marquis Salvador Samà. The park is one of the best examples of romantic gardening in the Mediterranean and was inspired by the beauty of Cuban colonial gardens, reflecting the heritage of its owner. The park covers 14 hectares and is famous for its diversity of flora and fauna: it houses 1,500 species of plants and many animals such as peacocks, deer, and exotic birds. Its picturesque landscapes include a lake with a canal and waterfall, as well as architectural elements such as grottoes and bridges that create a fairy-tale atmosphere. One of the features of Parc Samà is its historical connection to the famous architect Antoni Gaudí, who, according to some sources, participated in the design of some park elements. This makes the park not only a place for recreation but also a cultural heritage site. Additionally, the park features attractions such as the Labyrinth of Sustainable Development and the Shell Fountain, adding interactive elements for visitors. The filmmakers chose Parc Samà as a location because it offers many diverse places for filming, including open areas, secluded corners, and historic buildings.

Beach

In the Film

Scene where Tom finds a penguin on the beach. After moving to Argentina, Tom, an English teacher, becomes disillusioned with his new job and struggles to connect with unruly students. His life changes when he finds a weakened penguin covered in oil on the ocean shore. The little one is very weak and barely moves its wings. Tom cleans it of algae and oil, then releases it. But the penguin has no intention of parting with its savior and begins to follow him everywhere. The schoolteacher has no choice but to take the penguin in. It is named Juan Salvador and becomes not just Tom's pet, but his loyal friend and helper. Together, they begin to teach the spoiled and lazy students not only language but also kindness and care, gradually becoming local celebrities.

In Reality

The scene was filmed on the beach in Coma-ruga, a seaside resort located in the province of Tarragona, Catalonia. Coma-ruga beach stretches for 2.3 km and is famous for its fine golden sand and calm waters, making it an ideal place for family holidays. A feature of this place is the presence of thermal springs that flow into the sea, giving the water healing properties rich in minerals such as sulfate, calcium, and magnesium. The seawater on Coma-ruga beaches is considered one of the most famous in Europe, and the beach is framed by a picturesque promenade with cafes and restaurants. The choice of Coma-ruga as the location for filming the scene where the protagonist finds the penguin is due to its picturesqueness: the long coastline and calm sea create a suitable atmosphere for this touching moment, and the natural beauty of the beach adds visual appeal to the shot.