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The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
8.3
/10
13,664 Ratings

THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

Le scaphandre et le papillon

Directed by Julian Schnabel
France, United States, 2007
Biography, Drama

Synopsis

Based on true events, this film tells the story of wealthy magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who after a stroke is left almost entirely paralyzed. Unable to move or speak, he retreats into his mind, but after learning to communicate by blinking his left eye, he begins to tell his story.

Synopsis

Based on true events, this film tells the story of wealthy magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who after a stroke is left almost entirely paralyzed. Unable to move or speak, he retreats into his mind, but after learning to communicate by blinking his left eye, he begins to tell his story.

Our take

Julian Schnabel took home the Best Director prize at Cannes for this touching drama doubling as a daring formal experiment (the first act is filmed entirely from the main character’s point of view!). With ingenious cinematography from Janusz Kaminski and starring an excellent Mathieu Amalric.