Described as perfect timing, the bond between Sam Bloom and Penguin the magpie will forever be immortalised on the silver screen.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
'Penguin Bloom' is based on the true story of Sam Bloom, who was left paralysed from the chest down after an accident in Thailand in 2013.
The film follows Sam as she overcomes adversity while caring for the injured magpie and her journey to recovery.
Sam, her husband Cameron and film producer Emma Cooper visited Empire Cinema in Bowral for a charity viewing to raise funds for SpinalCure Australia on January 31. The event was emceed by TV personality Melissa Hoyer and organised by Shonagh Walker from Carousel.
Big names such as philanthropist Skye Leckie, singer Leo Sayer and designer Collette Dinnigan were in attendance to show their support.
A portrait of Penguin photographed by Cameron Bloom and a book signed by the cast of Penguin Bloom was auctioned off.
Several Highlands businesses also donated several goods that were raffled off.
The film follows Sam as she overcomes adversity while caring for the injured magpie and her journey to recovery.
"When I got home after the accident, I wasn't in a good head-space," she said.
It was while Sam, Cameron, and three sons Rueben, Noah and Oliver took care of Penguin, the abandoned magpie, that Sam found a new sense of purpose.
"Penguin was the perfect companion," she said.
"I would whinge to her all the time.
"Penguin was with us for two years before she took off. She was always free to come and go. I always say she came at the perfect time and she left at the perfect time."
While Sam and her family have lived through the experience, there is still one scene in the film that makes Sam emotional.
"It's the scene where the kids are sick," she said.
"It happened. Our youngest son Oliver was throwing up and was yelling for Cam.
"I hated that. I still get emotional over it."
Film producer Emma Cooper said she was thrilled that 'Penguin Bloom' was number one in the Aussie Box Office.
"So many people have watched it, it's so exciting," she said.
"I think the story is so relevant. Right from the beginning, it was about how to make it work."
'Penguin Bloom' was filmed at Bloom's home in the North Shore.
Sam said changes were made to the house for filming but nobody minded.
"They added the wooden wall, the curtains and the massive bookshelf for the film," she said.
"Our house is normally white but it was cool."
A keen surfer, Sam feared she would never be back on the water again, however with a little prompting from her husband, Sam took up para-canoeing - something she never thought she would do.
"No way, not in a million years," she said.
Her determination and competitive spirit saw Sam go on to place 13th in the world for para-canoeing, win two Australian titles and represent Australia in the 2015 World Champions in Italy.
However, her love and passion for the surf remained strong. In 2018 Sam was selected as a member of the Australia Adaptive Surf Team. She has won gold for Australia in the 2019 and 2020 World Para Surfing Championships.
Penguin Bloom is currently in theatres and stars Naomi Watts as Sam Bloom and Andrew Lincoln as Cameron Bloom.
Did you know the Southern Highland News is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.