The Diving Bell and the Butterfly [DVD] [2007]

'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' is an adaptation of a book many would presume to be unadaptable: former Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby's memoirs reflecting upon his rare medical condition "locked-in syndrome". The film begins begins daringly and terrifyingly from Bauby's perspective, as he regains consciousness in hospital following a stroke and slowly realises that he is totally paralysed except for an ability to roll and blink his eyes. His only means of communication is thus to blink, once for `yes' and twice for `no', and with the assistance of his publisher he learns to spell words via a painstakingly laborious alphabetical system. Together they were able to transcribe the 144 page memoir on which this film is based.In the first part of the film the viewer is locked, dreadfully, into Bauby's perspective as one of his eyes is sewn shut to counterbalance the effect of muscle paralysis in his face. As the camera deviates from the prison of Bauby's perspective, it seems at first to be a wasted opportunity to powerfully express Bauby's experience through cinematic style. A film told totally from his viewpoint would have been an incredibly challenging formalistic achievement. It would not have been overwhelmingly restrictive since the novel deals as much with Bauby's inner life (the butterfly) - the freedom he finds to explore his memory and imagination - as with his physical life.Nevertheless, the film justifies its decision to roam beyond the confines of Bauby's vision. Most importantly, we are made privvy to his means of communicating, and how oddly expressive this one facet of communication could be. This film irrefutably demonstrates the notion that eyes are the windows to the soul. Bauby's single eye becomes a vessel for all his expressiveness, his mouth, his smile, his voice. It is extraordinary how much emotional range is evoked from so little. The film is a tribute to the endurance and transcendance of the human spirit over material obstacles. It also makes a total mockery of Alejandro Amenabar's mawkish pro-euthanasia drama `The Sea Inside'. A powerful, saddening but ultimately uplifting film that deserves to be seen.

What a story, and it's all true.Having read the book a few years ago, (very well-written, a genuinely easy read concerning very difficult subject matter), I was wary, at first, of the film. How could it be faithful to such a deeply personal autobiographical work? Impossible, I thought, according to my stunted imagination.Well, having watched the film for about five minutes, I needn't have worried at all.Although the thrust of the story and the author's life is a tale of personal tragedy and of the utmost gravitas, he likes the ladies and has a wicked sense of humour, as becomes apparent in the opening scenes of the film and book.Amalric's sense of humour only gets him so far, as we soon learn. Whilst accessible and written in a relaxed and flowing style, the subject matter is not always so easily explained or commonplace as humour soon gives way to internalised anger and frustration.Likewise, the film is made in a unique "first person style", and we see and hear other people from within his altered and damaged perspective. Exactly how this is achieved is a marvel of the film itself.Surrounded by pretty nurses and beautiful women from the very beginning, the protagonist makes his feelings clear to us, but his emotions remain "Locked-In", like almost everything else about him, as a prisoner inside his own mind, trapped in his own body.See the film. Read the book. In ANY order.

Locked-In Syndrome brought to the screen in a sensitive yet powerful way. Bauby incredibly manages to dictate this using one blinking eye, helping us as viewers understand one of the (thankfully rare) potential outcomes of a stroke. The book was a revelation, but the film does not quite do it justice. In reality, Bauby was also able to move his head up to 90 degrees and only had two children (not three as in the film), and the timeframes with the friend who took his place on a flight are very misleading. But the most unfortunate aspect of the film is the relationship between Bauby's girlfriend and the mother of his children. Various interviews (which can be easily found online) suggest that the latter had a considerable impact on the nature of the film, and viewers are encouraged to feel sympathy for her yet disappointment at the girlfriend who has apparently abandoned him. Bauby's own words in the book explain how his girlfriend was very much part of his post-stroke life, with frequent visits. All in all, the DVD is superb, but I felt somewhat misled having also read the book and Bauby's own words. 4 stars for the DVD, 5 for the book  The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly .

Saw this film on the big screen when first released..The true story left a huge impact when seen through the eyes of this film... Finally I have purchased this unique film which all humans should see..

Una excelente edición para una muy buena película, Imagen y audio bastante buenos, el diseño de la portada es agradable de igual forma. Recomendable.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)Drama, Biography, 112 minutes, French LanguageDirected by Julian SchnabelStarring Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josee CrozeJean-Dominique Bauby (Amalric) was the editor of Elle magazine and this details the story of how he suffered a stroke and found a way to give meaning to the remainder of his life. American director Julian Schnabel decided to shoot it in French as it would feel more authentic.The film isn't for everyone. The subject matter can be perceived as extremely sad, but it can also be considered uplifting. The pacing is slow at times to reflect the painful process of teaching Bauby how to communicate. After his stroke, he was only able to move his left eye. He couldn't swallow, smile, or move any other part of his body. The only other things which weren't taken away were his memories and imagination.One of the reasons that the film works so well is that it shows us the world from Bauby's viewpoint. Images are sometimes blurred or skewed. If someone isn't in his direct line of sight, we don't see them. This has the effect of making us feel as though it has happened to us and that we are suffering from locked-in syndrome. Schnabel allows us to hear Bauby's thoughts and that's another masterstroke. Some thoughts reflect his anger and frustration, but others show his lively sense of humor.Bauby is attended by a variety of nurses and therapists. These scenes always make me feel grateful for being healthy and give me an appreciation for those who devote their lives to helping others. One therapist develops a system to communicate with Bauby. She lists the letters of the alphabet in order of those most commonly used, then asks Bauby to blink when she reaches the correct letter. Imagine how much patience would be required.We find out that Bauby had intended to write a book before his stroke and he communicates to his agent that he would like to honor his contract. He decides to write about his experiences. The diving bell refers to his sense of isolation, while the butterfly refers to the freedom he feels when he uses his imagination. Like 127 Hours, Diving Bell uses a number of techniques to allow to audience to escape from Bauby's confinement. We are shown real memories and also some of his dreams and fantasies.Bauby's achievement in dictating a book by blinking his eye is extraordinary. It says a lot about the determination of the human spirit and shows that every life has the potential to be worth something.If you can handle subtitles, sadness, and slow pacing, the film is a rewarding experience.

Jean-Dominique Bauby, der 1997 im Alter von 45 Jahren starb, war französischer Journalist, Autor und Chefredakteur des Magazins Elle. Einige Monate vor seinem Tod erlitt Bauby einen massiven Schlaganfall, der seinen Hirnstamm enorm schädigte. Zwei Wochen danach wacht er im Krankenhaus von Berck-sur-Mer aus dem Koma auf - ist stumm und ganzheitlich gelähmt. Die einzige noch vorhandene Möglichkeit, mit der Umwelt kommunzieren zu können, ist das noch intakte linke Augenlid, mit dem zuerst ein Artikulieren von "Ja" und "Nein" möglich wird. Später wird diese Kommunikation ausgeweitet auf einzelne Buchstaben. Bauby blinzelt mit dem Augenlid, wenn der richtige Buchstabe auftaucht, sein Gegenüber notiert und so entstehen Worte, die zum Buch "Le scaphandre et le papillon " führen....Julian Schnabel, bekannt durch "Before the night falls" erhielt für die Verfilmung dieser tragischen und aufwühlenden Krankengeschichte "Schmetterling und Taucherglocke" den Regiepreis bei den Internationalen Filmfestspielen Cannes, auch der Kameramann Janusz Kamiñski wurde für seine beeindruckenden Bilder ausgezeichnet. Bei der Golden Globe Verleihung erhielt der Film Preise in den Kategorien Beste Regie und Bester fremdsprachiger Film. Es folgten 4 Oscar- und 7 Cesarnominierungen und eine Vielzahl ausgezeichneter Kritiken, die auf jeden Fall gerechtfertigt sind.Der Film ist bewegend, einfühlsam - sehr traurig und melancholisch, aber auch erbauend und lebensbejahend.Wir sehen von Anfang an mit den Augen des ans Bett gefesselten Baubry, sehen so die kargen und spröden Bilder des Krankenzimmers, immer in einem begrenzten Blickwinkel und lernen so Ärzte, Krankenpfleger, Logopädin ( Marie-Josée Croze) und Therapeuten kennen, die mit Baubry Kontakt aufnehmen. Später kommen dann noch Exfrau (Emmanuelle Seigner), Freundin, Kinder, der Vater (Max von Sydow) und die Freunde dazu...Baubrys Momentaufnahme ist äusserst begrenzt, er schöpft aber Hoffnung aus Erinnerung (Vergangenheit), die seine Phantasie (Zukunft) inspiriert.Erst sehr spät sehen wir den entstellten Baubry (Mathieu Amalric)...Ein Film, der sicherlich in diesem Filmjahr so eine Art Sonderstellung wie vielleicht im letzten Jahr Aranofskys "The Fountain" einnimmt, denn hier gibts Null Kino-Mainstream.Der Stoff selbst ist alles andere als unterhaltsam und man wird sich das Gezeigte sicherlich nicht bald schon wieder in Wiederholung anschauen.Die Umsetzung dieses schweren Stoffes ist allerdings sehr brilliant, stellenweise sogar leicht. Die Bilder werden sich dennoch nachhaltig ins Gedächtnis einbrennen. Ein sehr schöner, trauriger Film über das Leben....

thanks

Seit vielen Jahren im Schrank, erst durch Umzug wieder gefunden. Sollte ich mir endlich mal anschauen 😅