CANNES, France (AFP) - The picture tells the true story of an Elle magazine editor left paralysed and mute by a stroke, who bravely went on to dictate what became an international bestseller just by blinking an eye. An exuberant Schnabel shook the hands of each of the nine jury members and thanked his all-French cast including lead actor Mathieu Amalric ("Munich") and a female ensemble of wives, lovers and caregivers. "I thought I was making a movie about a paralysed guy but I realised I was making a film about women," he said, asking the actresses to stand for applause.
"Many times they say the problem with France is the French but that's a lie." Schnabel, who commands top dollar for his paintings and sculptures, said he was stunned by the award. "In my wildest dreams I would never believe I was here because basically I'm just a movie fan -- I never thought I was going to be a movie director.
" The subject of the film, Jean-Dominque Bauby, was a fast-living playboy, the toast of the Paris fashion world, until he suffered a debilitating stroke at the age of 42. The title refers to Bauby's feeling of being trapped in his body, which has come to resemble the airtight chamber of a diving bell, and his still active mind, still agile as a butterfly. The real Bauby died 10 days after the release of the book in 1997.
The account became an international hit translated into several languages. Many viewers wept at the premiere of the film, which has inspired a bidding war for the international rights.
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