Pan's Labyrinth = Mercedes Torture Scene

Question 1

Cinematography =

Answer 1

• Close up weapons to foreshadow the danger
• Framing contradicts one another to reflect the binary oppositions of power
• Heavy saturation which highlights their emotional and bleakness
• Changes in low angels of Vidal hanging over Mercedes
• Juxtaposed when Mercedes stabs him, he is shown in a low angle and we as the audience do not know what is coming
• Static shots to focus on what is happening and increase the tension
• The low angle shot employed as he looks down emphasises his disgust at her rebellion nature, furthermore a women in a patriarchal society
• This power dynamic becomes reverse when a low angle shot as she becomes more powerful
• She escapes in a wide shot after she would quickly be surrounded

Answer 2

• Shows his dominance as an authoritative man and falangist captain exerting control who is physically and socially beneath him
• This highlights Del Toro’s belief of women challenging people in a patriarchal society

Question 3

Mise en Scene =

Answer 3

• Colour is dull greys and blues which creates a frightening and unpredictable atmosphere
• Prop of a hidden knife. Mercedes, as a women, had to hide her power as they are seen below men which is what allowed her to escape
• The hammer represents Vidal attempting to take down communism, he drops the hammer which shows fascists are losing their power
• Underdoing his shirt which is an attempt to threaten her with his masculinity and to show his power as a man

Answer 3

• He is obsessed with power yet doesn’t see hers which causes the spectators to route for her.

Question 5

Performance =

Question 7

Sound =

Answer 7

• Dialogue of him turning his back and saying how she is just a woman and underestimates her
• Exaggerated sound of rope tying her up which shows how she is powerless and restricted which symbolises her inferiority
• Slow violin score starts with subtle changes of notes. This increases tension and creates an uneasy atmosphere
• Enhanced sounds of picking up tools which allows us to empathise with her
• Pleonastic sound of stabbing to highlight she has won

Question 10

Editing =

Answer 10

• Begins with continuous shot which builds suspense and slows the pace
• Cuts during the action to increase the tension and the determination of Mercedes escaping
• It does not cut back which allows us to know she has escaped