An appreciation of film is all it takes to join this group. The 2025-26 season is our 27th year of celebrating the medium!
Our group meets at 7 pm, usually on the first Tuesday of each month from September through May, except December. We view the selected film on our own and then come together to discuss it. Typically about a dozen people attend. We gather on Zoom; the link is on our calendar: fpcpaloalto.org/calendar-of-events
We talk about character transformation, cinematic values, etc, plus our perspectives on the faith and ethical issues raised by the films. Our discussions are rich with multiple views and observations, as well as lots of laughs and caring, all enriching our relationships. We close with prayers of the people. New members are always welcome!
Here is our 2025-26 schedule, chosen through our election process in the spring.
| Sept 2 | Perfect Days |
| Oct 7 | Meet John Doe |
| Nov 4 | Conclave |
| Jan 6 | Contact |
| Feb 10 | Will and Harper (NOTE: Date changed) |
| Mar 3 | Inherit the Wind |
| April 7 | Penguin Lessons |
| May 5 | The Children’s Train |
The Penguin Lessons (2024)
Director: Peter Cattaneo
Availablility: Netflix, various streaming services, public libraries
The Penguin Lessons is a heartwarming yet poignant film based on the memoir by Tom Michell. Set in 1970s Argentina during a time of political unrest, the story follows a young British teacher who takes a post at an elite boarding school. While on holiday in Uruguay, he rescues a penguin from an oil spill and secretly brings it back across the border. Naming the penguin Juan Salvador, he becomes an unlikely companion and emotional anchor for both Tom and the troubled boys at the school.
But beneath the charm and humor lies a darker backdrop. Argentina is slipping into dictatorship, and the threat of disappearances and fascism looms large. Tom begins to see the subtle signs of fear, censorship, and violence creeping into everyday life. As the penguin brings warmth and joy, the film contrasts this with the growing tension of a country on the brink. Through this gentle yet powerful narrative, The Penguin Lessons becomes not just a story of friendship, but a quiet reflection on innocence in a time of repression.