Pan's Labyrinth = Opening Sequence

Question 1

Mise en Scene =

Answer 1

• Ofelia is bloodied on the floor which depicts a horrific scene which sets up a tense atmosphere to expect violence
• The atmosphere changes as we enter into Ofelia’s eye which is seen through cold and isolating linking the realm and the real world.
• The architecture is gothic and intricate
• The architecture is not Spanish emphasising that it is other-worldly
• The statures outside the towers look decrepit referring ancient civilisations.
• The underground realm contrasts typical underground worlds such as Alice in Wonderland setting the tone of an unsettling fairy-tale
• The cut to the ruins shows the disparity of reality, the ruins have a skull with glasses, the only character is the doctor which tells the audience that he is significant
• He wanted to show how something could be destroyed so easily yet so important
• This creates an abandoned, haunting setting
• The green flourishing forest opposes the yellow ruins which shows how it has been untouched and naturally beautiful
• The camera cuts to a Ofelia clutching a fairy-tale book
• The car is a Rolls Royce which is an obvious display of their wealth that Vidal has given to them
• Ofelia wears a beret which aligns her with the rebels and links her with the conflict
• The mother wears simple dull clothes which allows us to see her as weak.
• We can see the calm environment of nature with particles of pollen which gives it an enchanting look
• We can see that the crack in his watch shows an emotional connection of not replacing it
• He is introduced through obsession
• His uniform is black, immaculate and clean shaven. He is blank faced
• The mill shows their preparing for conflict however they are not hiding away from their opponents which shows they have the upper hand

Question 2

Cinematography =

Answer 2

• The camera crabs upwards which reveals Ofelia then to a canted angle. This creates disorientation
• The camera pushes into her eyes, with a fluid movement which establishes sombre
• We see an establishing shot of the underworld which is seen to be lonely and cold
• The camera pans to the right slowly and then dolly’s forwards into the tower as the princess runs through
• The camera tilts upwards and dolly’s towards her at the same speed as she runs
• The camera cuts to the runs after a high-key flash indicating we are back in reality
• The long slow continuous shot maintains a slow pace which immerses us into the story. The slow pan to the right gives a smooth feel
• The cross fade implied the shift of time
• High angle, close up shot of the storybook implying we are apart of her storybook
• The lighting in the woods is yellow and naturally light by the sun which contrasts bright green trees
• The shots of Ofelia in the woods are slow to allow us to study what she is playing with
• The long lingering shot of the mouth hole focusses all attention onto it, which makes the bug emerging more startling

Question 3

Sound =

Answer 3

• The humming layered over is easily recognisable and indicates that the tragedy is close
• The opening scene begins with silence and then diegetic sound of the wind
• Night time sounds mix in gradually alongside the lullaby
• The lullaby is supposed to be comforting however it is unsettling and associated with death throughout the film
• Heavy breathing is added into the mix
• The heavy breathing is her dying which sets the tone for tragedy and disturbing
• The dramatic whooshing sound entering into Ofelia’s eyes indicates a whimsical elements
• The cold-looking room is accompanied by orchestral sound.
• The light swooshes is mixed with the composed scores, it gives an ominous and uncomfortable tone
• The narration is present from the Faun which introduces the escaped princess and how the King waits for the princess to return.
• The music breaks away when we are in reality.
• We hear nature sounds where the conversation fades out, the focus is on the nature rather than Carmen and the soldiers
• Light piano plays when she picks up the rock signifying the importance
• The bug crawls which jerks unsettling the viewings with legs twitching and mandible clicking
• We can hear the ticking of a watch
• The captain’s dialogue points out their lateness by 15 minutes

Question 3

Editing =

Answer 3

• The fade from white shows a passage of time into a smooth transition
• It switches from a blue filter and colour grading so a warmer colour palette is used
• Continuity editing is used to keep the scene fluid
• The CGI bug appears from the mouth gap, the timing, length and order maintains a flowing sequence
• There is a J cut, as the watch ticks, this shows the meticulous time constraints and pointing out their lateness

Question 4

Performance =

Answer 4

• Ofelia’s expression and heavy breathing indicates that she is hurt or something bad is they are
• She sounds too weak and defeated to cry which allows us to speculate what has happened to her
• Ofelia traces the pages and lightly touches the fairy-tale which shows her connection to these stories
• Her mother undermines the books however Ofelia does not respond. This reflects how often her mother may ridicule her love for books
• Ofelia ignores her mother except when she is caring for her mother’s health
• Carmen mentions her baby as a boy showing how she hopes it is so she does not disappoint the Captain’s hope. This allows us to see he is manipulative and Carmen is weak willed
• Ofelia wanders off from her ill mother which reflects her poor relationship and curious nature
• It also reflects her imagination with aspects of fairy-tale
• She is not fearful of the bug which is replaced with wonder and delight
• Ofelia ignores her mother calling prioritising her fantasies. They have two very different values
• The captain is introduced with deliberate movements, and formally dressed
• He appears uncaring and unwelcoming
• Ofelia denies her his hand to show her disobedience