Fjärilen i glaskupan

Based on the biography of late French Elleeditor Jean-Do Bauby, “The Diving Bell and theButterfly” is almost as extraordinary a film asthe destiny it tells. After suffering a massivestroke, Bauby faces the painful truth of beingfully paralyzed with only one muscle – one ofhis eye-lids – still functioning. Just like thespeeding wings of a butterfly trapped in a divingbell, Bauby’s creative mind races but is stuck ina body frozen solid, left with only the one eyelidwith which to communicate. So he conveyshis own story by blinking, letter by letter, wordby word.Director Julian Schnabel, awarded BestDirector at Cannes Film Festival, has drenchedevery frame in beauty in his portrayal of a manwho leads two opposing lives – one internal,one external. Reminiscent of a Gondry or Kaufman film, Schnabel lets surreal, dreamyflashback sequences sprinkle charm into therelatively sombre scenario, juxtaposing visuallyimpressive dream sequences with the crueltyof Bauby’s destiny.

Red Carpet
Wednesday 21 November
SKANDIA 19.00