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 (Tuesday 5th November)

18:15

A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Thing PG
HOH Subtitles / £6 for Members
1h 29m
Essayistic documentary by Mark Cousins (The Story of Film) examining the life and work of Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, one of the key figures in the history of modern art in Britain. Narrated by Tilda Swinton.

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20:30

Die Before You Die 15
£6 for Members
1h 44m
A hot-headed influencer faces a desperate fight for survival six feet underground after an internet challenge goes horribly wrong. A tense psychological thriller delving into the dark side of social media fame.

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Tomorrow (Wednesday 6th November)

14:45

The Apprentice 15
Deaf/HOH Subtitles
2h 2m
Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong (Succession) star in this darkly comedic tale about a young Donald Trump coming under the sway of ruthless lawyer Roy Cohn, who teaches him how to win at any cost.

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17:30

The Crime Is Mine 15
1h 43m | French w/ English subtitles
In François Ozon’s (Summer of 85, 8 Women) farcical crime-comedy, a young actress is accused of murdering a famous film producer. As the trial turns into a media spectacle, a new kind of fame awaits her.

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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!