Shaked Berenson

Shaked Berenson’s career is honestly kind of wild when you dig into it. The guy’s fingerprints are all over an oddball mix of projects—from the heart-melting charm of “My Penguin Friend” (2024) to the weird, wordless magic of “Pantomime” (2020), and then you toss “Dolphin Island” (2021) into the mix? It’s like, what doesn’t he do? “My Penguin Friend” is one of those films that just sneaks up on you. It’s not your typical animal flick. There’s a genuine warmth running through it, this sense of wonder and gentle humor that’s perfect for anyone who’s ever felt out of place or just wanted a buddy to share the weirdness of life with. You can tell Berenson’s got a soft spot for stories that lean into odd friendships and unexpected adventures. Flip the script and you land on “Pantomime.” Now, this one’s a whole different beast. No dialogue, but somehow it’s loud as hell with emotion. It’s like Berenson’s daring you to keep up, pushing boundaries with silent storytelling that hits harder than most films loaded with dramatic speeches. It’s all about the stuff that goes unsaid—awkward glances, goofy slapstick, a kind of nostalgia for old-school cinema, but not in a boring way. And then, “Dolphin Island” comes along, this feel-good family adventure, sunny and sincere. It’s got dolphins, obviously, but it’s more about community, family, and holding onto hope when life gets stormy. If you’re tired of cynical movies, this is the kind of thing that’ll restore a little faith in humanity. Berenson’s range is nuts, but there’s always heart running through every frame.