Based on the book Le Scaphandre et le papillon,
by Jean-Dominique Bauby (Editions Robert Laffont, 1997)
Starring: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josée Croze, Anne Consigny, Marina Hands, Patrick Chesnais, Jean-Pierre Cassel
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY is the remarkable true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby (Amalric), the charismatic editor-in-chief of French Elle, who believes he is living life to the fullest until a sudden stroke leaves him in a life-altered state. Struck by 'locked in syndrome' he is almost totally paralysed but is reborn through his left eye, the one body part which retains movement. He calls his new point of view 'the butterfly' and begins to discover how his earlier passions, his rich memories and his newfound imagination can help him achieve a new life without boundaries.
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY is the third film from artist and director Julian Schnabel (Basquiat, Before Night Falls), and won him Best Director at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Based on the memoir by Jean-Dominique Bauby and adapted by Academy Award winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood (The Pianist), THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY is the Time Out special screening at The Times BFI London Film Festival, and will be released by Pathé Pictures across the UK on 8 February 2008.
