Jean-Dominique Bauby & France

I just watched an incredible movie about well-known French editor for Elle Magazine - Jean Dominique Bauby. The film was called The Diving Bell and The Butterfly. Jean-Do lives an eventful, luxurious and high roller life with lots of girls and money. He suddenly suffers from a stroke that leaves him mute and paralyzed from head to toe. The only physical movements of control was that of his eyes. He's right eye ends up getting 'sewn up' since it wasnt functioning properly and was at risk to disease. The camera films from Jean-Do's point of view, so you gradually see the doctor stitching up the eye, until it is only blackness. The viewer feels Jean-Do's frustration and fear as he screams

'Go away! Don't touch me!'

but of course, no one hears him and he can't move.

Exercise

It seems life is pointless and recovery progress is slow. A speech therapist teaches him to communicate: she recites the letters of the alphabet (the most frequently used letters first). Jean-Do blinks when the desired letter is said. The therapist will write it down and continue with the next letter. Soon a word will form, then sentences and paragraphs. This process is very slow and frustrating for Jean-Do who has to keep his eye open for the whole time - even when he naturally feels like blinking!

Repeated letters

This movie doesnt focus so much on the negative effects of locked-in syndrome, but more on his optimistic point of view. Jean-Do acknowledges that he still has his imagination and memories in tact and often uses these to escape reality.

Where should i go for dinner today?

he closes his eyes and imagines he's at a fancy restaurant dressed in his sleepwear. He is eating delicious food, then smiles at a pretty lady across the room. He signals for her to come over, and she does. He feeds her some oysters and drinks some wine. He says to her

"Fancy seeing you here.."

Jean-do's body in a 'diving bell' submerged under water, an image frequented in the movie, symbolises his physical state of immobility while butterfly images symbolise freedom in imagination and thoughts.

The viewer feels more comfortable with Jean-Do's ease of his condition and it is easier to see this movie as inspirational and comical. When pretty lady's are in his presence, he looks to their exposed flesh and we hear his naughty thoughts. its funny bceause these girls have no idea what his thinking.

Pretty Girls everywhere

In the 2 years that he suffered from lock-in syndrome, Jean-Do writes a book. The 'feminine' version of The Count of Monte Christo. It will take him 3hrs using the communication strategy of his therapist to write 1-1.5 pages. The book was published and 2 days after, he passed away from pneumonia. He dedicates the book to his three children, and wishes them:

Many butterflies

Its a touching story. I want to buy the book. But would i would i still buy it if it didnt have a happy ending? I realise people only want to hear about real issues if they have positive aspects to it. Sad but true. This is the fourth french movie i have seen and i will say that I love them. There is some kind of sweet charm to the french, i love the sound of the french language, and the gentle humour they seem to have. There is a touch of cheekiness, subtle and usually innocent. And when the topic is not so innocent, there is a twist that convinces you that it is. This kind of charming and cheeky humour makes me smile, unlike the 'laugh out loud' crude and 'in your face' humour of the Australians or English, or the immature 'not so funny' humour of the Americans. Four French Movies

1. The City of Lost Children
2. Tais-Toi
3. Amelie
4. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

I am now in love with the French and anyone who can speak French. I want to go back to Paris. French movies communicate that 'love knows no boundaries'. I associate my favourite french scenes with the gentle tickle of the autumn morning sun. I wish i wasnt so intimidated by the French when i was in Paris. I want to see the side of France that i see in the movies. I wish i was still in Paris.