[FILM NEWS] PENGUIN BLOOM Finds Box Office Success

Australian audiences have fallen in love with Roadshow Films’ PENGUIN BLOOM, the inspirational tale of a wounded magpie that restores hope to a family. The film has taken over $1.51 million at the Australian box office since it opened in cinemas on Thursday.

“The fantastic box office result for Penguin Bloom represents how eager Australians are to get back to the cinema and support quality, home-grown film-making.” said Joel Pearlman, CEO Roadshow Films. “The universal appeal of these films is undeniable and now is the time for Australia to champion its bold stories and beautiful locations with the world.”

The exceptional box office results for quality Australian productions continues, with THE DRY taking second spot, and crossing $12 million in its fourth week.

“It’s remarkable that the two top spots of the Australian box office are currently held by Australian films – this is a rare and remarkable achievement and a further indication of just how eager audiences are to support great stories and exceptional film making.” said Pearlman.

“We have enjoyed an incredible relationship with the Made Up Stories team of Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky and Jodi Matterson, as well as Robert Connolly and Eric Bana on The Dry and Emma Cooper and Glendyn Ivin on Penguin Bloom.” He said “These filmmakers have done brilliant work to realise these exceptional Australian Stories.”

Penguin Bloom tells the true story of Sam Bloom (Academy Award® nominated Naomi Watts) a young mother whose world is turned upside down after a near-fatal accident leaves her unable to walk. Sam’s husband, (Andrew Lincoln), her three young boys and her mother (Academy Award® nominated Jacki Weaver), are struggling to adjust to their new situation when an unlikely ally enters their world in the form of an injured baby magpie they name Penguin. The bird’s arrival is a welcome distraction for the Bloom family, eventually making a profound difference in the family’s life.

Directed by Glendyn Ivin, the film is produced by Broadtalks’ Emma Cooper, Made Up Stories’ Bruna Papandrea (Big Little Lies), Steve Hutensky and Jodi Matterson (Little Monsters), alongside Watts.