The Diving Bell and the Butterfly12A

Directed by Julian Schnabel | France | 2007 | 1h 52m | French w/ English subtitles | Starring Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josée Croze

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.

Followed by a post-screening discussion with University of Oxford neuroscientists organised by The Oxford Science and Ideas Festival 2021. 

Reviews

‘Nothing in director Julian Schnabel’s career so far has anticipated the sweetness, sadness, maturity and restraint of this lovely movie.’
★★★★★ Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

‘A poignant reflection on what it means to be alive and, visually, a true cinematic experience.’
★★★★ Alan Morrison, Empire Magazine

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed The Diving Bell and the Butterfly between October 23, 2021 and October 24, 2021.

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What else is on?

Today (Wednesday 18th June)

15:45

The Salt Path 12A
Deaf/HOH Subtitles
1h 55m
Evicted and facing illness, a couple embarks on a 630-mile walk along England’s coast. Starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, this moving adaptation of Raynor Winn’s memoir is a story of love, survival, and resilience.

Book here

18:15

Bound 18
1h 49m
Before The Matrix, the Wachowskis burst onto the scene with this taut, stylish noir. A sexy, subversive heist film with queer leads, Bound is now a revered cult classic – razor-sharp, fiercely confident, and decades ahead of its time.

Book here

20:45

The Phoenician Scheme 15
1h 41m
When a billionaire bequeaths his empire to his nun daughter, chaos follows. Assassins, tycoons, and wild twists abound in Wes Anderson’s latest star-studded comedy caper, starring Benicio Del Toro, Scarlett Johansson and Michael Cera.

Book here


Tomorrow (Thursday 19th June)

16:00

A New Kind of Wilderness 12A
1h 24m
After tragedy strikes, a family living off-grid in Norway must question the life they’ve built. Winner of Sundance 2024’s Grand Jury Documentary Prize, this moving documentary explores grief, resilience, and what it means to live by your values.

Book here

17:45

The Salt Path 12A
1h 55m
Evicted and facing illness, a couple embarks on a 630-mile walk along England’s coast. Starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, this moving adaptation of Raynor Winn’s memoir is a story of love, survival, and resilience.

Book here

20:15

Hyper: The Stevie Hyper D Story 15
+ Director Q&A
1h 30m
A musical pioneer and UK rave icon, MC Stevie Hyper D shaped a global movement. His nephew Darrell Austin traces his powerful legacy in this emotional documentary. Screening followed by Q&A with directors Jamie Ross-Hulme and Darrell Austin.

Book here


Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road. We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don't be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!