The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

A film by Julian Schnabel.

In December 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby, editor in chief of the French fashion magazine Elle

suffered a massive stroke, which left him a prisoner in his own body and able to communicate only

by blinking his left eye. This he termed being ‘inside the diving bell’, but his memory and imagination

(‘the butterfly’) remained untouched.

Using a special alphabet, Bauby defied the odds and wrote a book, showing the amazing resilience of the human spirit.

This is his story as filmed by the American director and artist, Julian Schnabel. The film stars Mathieu

Amalric and Emmanuelle Seigner. It won awards for best director (Cannes Festival and Golden

Globes) and best-adapted screenplay (BAFTA).

‘Fascinating and beautiful...immensely moving’ – Time Out.

One of the most life-affirming films of the year’ – Film Review.

Duration 107 minutes, in French with English subtitles.

It contains nudity and moderate language.