Pan's Labyrinth = Pale Man Sequence

Question 1

Cinematography =

Answer 1

• Over the shoulder shot of the book which emphasises the magic but also could be part of her magical imagination
• Followed by a low angle shot, with Ofelia centralised
• Shot from inside the lair to communicate the inferiority of Ofelia and makes us fear for Ofelia
• Wide over the shoulder shot which mirrors Captain with all his food
• The camera crabs left to right which reveals the feast distracting Ofelia from the Pale Man, she is consistently central
• Begins with a cold desaturated blue colour to a brighter yellow gold colour which represents the difference between the worlds
• There is a reverse tracking shot as she enters to show the sheer size and make it appear daunting

Question 2

Mise en Scene =

Answer 2

• Pile of shoes suggesting how children suffer under the Franco regime and visual reference to the Holocaust which is a criticism of facism
• The room mirrors the banquet scene where Vidal and the Pale Man are at the head of the table
• The food on the table is mostly red showing how rich, lavish and obsessed with blood shed they are. It also shows their selfishness
• The set design of the layer resembles a church with big columns which shows the danger and corruption of the church
• Displaying multiple spotlights along the roof which can be seen as a reference to gas champers. Multiple WW2 Iconography
• Faceless and lack of identity as it can be applied to many fascists dictators
• Bloody, red walls to signify entering the belly of the beast and foreshadows the danger of the lair. Appears to be fleshy walls
• Costume of the pale man = His skin is saggy and old to represent how he may have once been more powerful and large but due to the fall of fascism is now getting weaker
• The structure is similar to a christian church with pillars and ancient painting which represents Del Toro’s views on the church
• The layer lures the audience into a false sense of security before realising how dangerous it is
• Three key hols which represent Cerberus who guards the gates to the underworld

Question 3

Performance =

Answer 3

• The pale man’s hand leads him through the corridor which can be seen as a Nazi salute which may be a criticism of the people blindly following orders killing children under Hitler’s regime
• The movement is stiff and slow as if he is looming behind her which similarly creates tension. The pale mans stiffness can show how he has been sat for years and years waiting for Ofelia

Question 4

Sound =

Answer 4

• Begins with diegetic noises of insects which concludes to the fantasy realm
• The chalk scrapes against the wall which is jarring and may signify danger
• The composed non diegetic score raises which is associated with the fantasy realm.
• There is diegetic sound of the fairies skittering similar to the insect sound
• The clanging of the keys are exaggerated which communicates the sense of magic
• As we are introduced to the pale man, ominous non diegetic music begins which signifies danger
• The Pale Man is croaky when communicating which emphasises his discombobulation. His breathing is high which reaches a climax and heightens with the composed score
• There is diegetic score when the fairies are mutilated with screeches of distress, alongside his groan of satisfaction.
• The monotone pitch of his shouting is reminiscent of babies crying which highlights his danger to children
• The heavy and panicked breathing of Ofelia grows in speed and volume which communicates the true panic which is contradicted by the Pale Man’s groans

Question 5

Editing =

Answer 5

• Regular cuts between the sand timer and task which creates tension
• The cutting increases as the pace develops as the fear is instilled that we hope Ofelia escapes
• There is no cross cutting focussing the audience on this one tense event
• The cuts are smooth as she makes her way through the law so it flows
• There is cuts to emphasise an important prop such as a key
• The editing between the real and fantasy world is seamless

Question 6

Influence =

Answer 6

• Takes place during 1945 which is during WW2, many elements reference the holocaust. There was significant children in concentration camps making reference to the pale man and Hitler
• The Pale Man may resemble fascism and Ofelia represents the republicans who are trying to overcome the rules
• There is also similarities between the catholic church
• Del Toro wanted the Pale Man to symbolise institutional evil feeding of the helpless

Question 7

Meaning =

Answer 7

• Embodies patriarchal white violence (Pale, Old , Man)
• The facelessness of the victims and becoming detached from society. They are faceless victims. Invisibility of victims in a fascist regime
• The inability to see individuals unless directly attacking them. Fascist leaders cannot see the extent of the violence unless it comes directly in front of them