Le scaphandre et le papillon (2007)

Director:

Julian Schnabel

Writers (WGA):

Ronald Harwood (screenplay)
Jean-Dominique Bauby (book)

Release Date:

23 May 2007 (Belgium)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

Let your imagination set you free

Plot:

The true story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with an almost totally paralyzed body; only his left eye isn't paralyzed.

Plot Keywords:

Eye | Stroke | Editor | France | Blink

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 41 wins & 33 nominations

Cast

Mathieu Amalric	...	Jean-Do
Emmanuelle Seigner	...	Céline
Marie-Josée Croze	...	Henriette Roi
Anne Consigny	...	Claude
Patrick Chesnais	...	Le Docteur Lepage
Niels Arestrup	...	Roussin
Olatz López Garmendia	...	Marie Lopez
Jean-Pierre Cassel	...	Père Lucien et le Vendeur
Marina Hands	...	Joséphine
Max von Sydow	...	Papinou
Gérard Watkins	...	Le Docteur Cocheton
Théo Sampaio	...	Théophile
Fiorella Campanella	...	Céleste
Talina Boyaci	...	Hortense
Isaach De Bankolé	...	Laurent

Also Known As:

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (International: English title) (UK) (USA)
Le scaphandre et le papillon (France)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for nudity, sexual content and some language.

Runtime:

France:112 min | USA:112 min

Country:

France | USA

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Ireland:12A | Canada:PG | Netherlands:6 | Taiwan:PG-12 | Sweden:7 | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-7 | South Korea:12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43714) | Hong Kong:IIB | Greece:K-13 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | UK:12 | Peru:14

Filming Locations:

Berck, Pas-de-Calais, France

Company:

Pathé Renn Productions

Trivia:

The script, written by Ronald Harwood, was originally in English. Director Julian Schnabel convinced the studio, Pathé, to change the language to French to stay true to Bauby's life and story. Ironically, Pathé is a French studio founded in Paris by brothers Charles, Émile, Théophile and Jacques Pathé.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the scene where Jean-Do is taken on a boat ride, A 'Speedferries' vessel can be glimpsed in the background. This company did not commence business until 2004 - years after the time in which the story is set.

Quotes:

Jean-Dominique Bauby: My diving bell has dragged you down to the bottom of the sea, with me.

Movie Connections:

References Candy (1968)

Soundtrack:

All The World Is Green

A moving story told in an intriguing fashion

Saw this last night in Brussels (it's been on release for a while now). I was worried that it would be arty and depressing, but I was pleasantly surprised by how absorbing and moving it was. The opening scenes are striking, and communicate well the main character's feelings of claustrophobia and helplessness in the immediate aftermath of his accident, but as he attempts to rebuild his life and learn how to communicate, the film (and the visual style) opens up, even making room for some welcome flashes of humour. Performances are excellent, but the real stars here are the writer(s) and director, for taking us so convincingly into the character's world.