MovieChat Forums > Le papillon (2002) Discussion > Quick question about butterfly collectin...

Quick question about butterfly collecting...

posted 18 years ago by rooprect
3 replies | jump to latest

Hi, I haven't seen this film yet. I was hoping someone could answer a question first.

Many entomologists kill the insect in order to preserve its body. This is a bit disturbing to me, especially with regard to rare species whose numbers are limited to begin with. Do we see any of that in this movie? How exactly does a butterfly collector collect rare butterflies?

The reason I ask is that I've heard that this is a light-hearted, feel-good movie. But (just me personally) I might be too disturbed by the butterfly collecting aspect to enjoy the film as I should.

[–] altrash 18 years ago

Yes and it's very well done.
Don't stop for that, please.
A simple but remarquable movie.

[–] total80sstyle 18 years ago

All that happens is he puts a butterfly into a jar filled with some sort of chemical which causes a quick, painless death. Though they there are scenes of butterflies on display, I believe there is only one scene where a butterfly is actually caught and killed.

[–] Giggle-Goth 18 years ago

You don't see the butterfly dying in this scene. It is moving and perhaps is set free(I don't know if he is, but I think this could have happened)
The scene doesn't wanna force people to watch the end of a butterfly's life, in fact it is (imo) one of the most important scenes concerning the constantly changing relationship between Elsa and Julien and it contains one of the best quotes in the whole film (though only 2 words plus two face expressions!)
Don't be afraid of this scene.