The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Let your imagination set you free.
Overview
The true story of Elle France editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who, in 1995 at the age of 43, suffered a stroke that paralyzed his entire body, except his left eye. Using that eye to blink out his memoir, Bauby eloquently described the aspects of his interior world, from the psychological torment of being trapped inside his body to his imagined stories from lands he'd only visited in his mind.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
The movie is based on the memoir 'Le Scaphandre et le Papillon' (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) written by Jean-Dominique Bauby, who was the editor-in-chief of French Elle magazine. The story gained international attention due to its unique narrative structure and Bauby's extraordinary resilience in overcoming his physical limitations.
- The powerful and emotional performance by actor Mathieu Amalric as Jean-Dominique Bauby, the magazine editor who lost most of his body to a stroke and could only blink to communicate.
- A moving and thought-provoking exploration of resilience, hope, and the human spirit in the face of extreme adversity.
- The unique narrative structure based on Bauby's memoir, which he wrote by blinking to select letters, providing a compelling perspective into his life.
Fun Facts
- The movie was filmed using a technique called 'camera inside', where the camera is placed within the actor's head, mimicking Bauby's limited field of vision.
- Mathieu Amalric, who portrayed Jean-Dominique Bauby, lost 20 kg for the role to accurately depict Bauby's physical condition.
- Juliette Binoche, who played Celine, Bauby's ex-wife, was actually three months pregnant during filming but managed to keep it a secret from the director and crew.