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 25th August)

17:45

David Byrne's American Utopia 12A
£6 for Members
1h 46m
David Byrne, former Talking Heads frontman, reflects on human connection in this concert film based on his Broadway show. Directed by Spike Lee, it blends music and dance into immersive cinema, featuring solo work and Talking Heads classics.

Book here

20:15

Love Me Tender 15
£6 for Members
2h 14m | French w/ English subtitles
After her divorce, writer Clémence begins dating women, exploring her sexuality for the first time. When her ex-husband finds out, he cuts off access to their son, sparking a custody battle. Adapted from Constance Debré's novel, starring Vicky Krieps.

Book here


Tomorrow (Wednesday 26th August)

14:00

The Odyssey 15
2h 52m
Odysseus, King of Ithaca, journeys home after the Trojan War, confronting vengeful gods and monstrous trials along the way. Christopher Nolan adapts Homer's epic, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, alongside Tom Holland, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson.

Book here

17:30

Love Me Tender 15
2h 14m | French w/ English subtitles
After her divorce, writer Clémence begins dating women, exploring her sexuality for the first time. When her ex-husband finds out, he cuts off access to their son, sparking a custody battle. Adapted from Constance Debré's novel, starring Vicky Krieps.

Book here

20:30

David Byrne's American Utopia 12A
1h 46m
David Byrne, former Talking Heads frontman, reflects on human connection in this concert film based on his Broadway show. Directed by Spike Lee, it blends music and dance into immersive cinema, featuring solo work and Talking Heads classics.

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 only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!