David Giraud

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a film based on the memoir of Jean-Dominique Bauby, a French journalist, and editor of Elle magazine.  After experiencing a severe stroke, Bauby awakens from a coma to learn that he suffers from locked-in syndrome. His entire body is completely paralyzed with the exception of his left eye. He learns to communicate by blinking in response to someone who reads a list of letters in the order in which they most often occur in the French language. Along with the patience and enduring love of those around him, the film tells the story of living and looking back on his life after his stroke. I haven’t read the book, but the movie adaptation is moving enough that I might.

While the acting and cinematography were stunning, the soundtrack fit remarkably well. It managed to be subtle throughout and evocative at just the right moments. The New York Post has an article in which the director of the film, Julian Schnabel, speaks about his track selection:

I always listen to music, carry it around with me. I know [certain songs] are going to pop up [in my films] some time or another. I always thought [the Velvet Underground's] “Pale Blue Eyes” was going to play in that scene on that boat.

Paul Cantelon [who composed the score] was a child prodigy and then was hit by a car and had total amnesia. Years later, he was playing the piano and said, “Hey Mom, listen to this,” and she said, “That’s Bach.” So he identified with [Jean-Do's] life and his problem. One day he came to me with these preludes he had written. One of them was perfect, so that was it.

Cantelon’s main theme simple but achingly poignant.  It reminds me a bit of Yann Tiersen’s work.  Check out the track below and rent/buy the movie if you can.  It’s worth it.

Paul Cantelon - Theme for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

P.S.  Big ups to Mark and Jeremy.