Pans Labyrinth Flashcards
Themes of PL: Fascism and Authoritarianism
-the character of Vidal, his obsession with control and order references the time it was set, 1944 Francoist Spain
-the pale man scene also symbolically represents greed and oppression by the table of food for the pale man, while at the time in spain people were starving on rations
-exquisite uniforms and pocket watch symbolic of strict military values
Themes of PL: Personal Sacrifice
-the task ofelia has to sacrifice her baby brother, when she doesnt and instead sacrifices herself
-mercedes risks her own life to aid the rebels with information
-Dr Ferreiro who sacrifices his personal safety when standing up against Vidal who threatens his morals
-Carmens death in childbirth
Themes of PL: Rebellion
-the remnants of the rebellion forces who wage a guerilla war against Vidals men
-Ofelia rebels against the wishes of her mother to conform to Vidals commands
-Ofelia also disobeys the fauns final task to sacrifice young blood in the form of her brother, which she refuses to
Themes of PL: Fatherhood and Family
-Vidals obsession with being a father of a boy and also his talk of his own father displays traits toxic masculinity, caring only about passing on his name rather than the responsibilities of fatherhood
Themes of PL: Childhood innocence
-the loss of ofelias innocence due to the traumatic events of the war, she clings to fairytales to escape them
-her belief in magic contrasts Vidals cold pragmatism
-She learns morality isnt clear cut, culminating in her selfless sacrifice
Themes of PL: Catholicism
-the film critiques Catholicisms complicity with fascism
-Pale mans feast akin to The Last Supper
-Mise En Scene of the lair, deep red, firelight and darkness, reminiscent of hell
-depictions of the pale man eating children is a satanic practice
PL key scene analysis: Opening sequence
Fancy cars and uniformed men, introduce themes of authoritarian hierarchy
-themes of childhood innocence expressed through ofelias body language, expressions convey curiosity and innocence
-Ofelia reading fairy tale books
-fantasy themes established through underground cave settlement
-introduction to Vidal and his ways, when he grabs ofelias hand
PL key scene analysis: Toad Scene
-mise en scene is dark, dirty, earthy,
-toad itself is repulsive, slimy and massive, its design could represent greedy and gross individuals, such as those ruling spain in 1944. Also its feeding off the life of the tree, thats in the shape of a uterus, similar to Vidal who is using Carmen to have a son
-highlights themes of fantasy, the tree that holds magical secrets is a common trope of the genre
-shot reverse shot to show the interaction between ofelia and the toad
-lack of long shots to show the enclosed and small space beneath the tree
PL key scene analysis: The Pale Man
-uncomfy close ups of his grotesque body
-large red and gold lair lit by fire light, looks like hell
-the pale man himself a practical effects monster who sits alone at head of the table of a banquet full of food, representing those with power in society being greedy
-explores themes of fascism, fantasy and Catholicism
-violent paintings on the wall are reminiscent of the works of Goya
-holocaust reference, pile of shoes
-pale mans stigmata, reference to Christs crucifixion
-ofelia eats the forbidden fruit, similar to Eve
PL key scene analysis: Closing sequence
-high wide angle shots display the violent climax of the rebels and vidals tension, gunfire and explosions
-dark blue and black colour palette, scene is lit by full moon which is sometimes associated supernatural
-sound of the blade and gunshots emphasised to provoke tension
-the real world and ofelias fantasy world is bridged
-ofelia refuses task to hand over her brother to die, instead sacrifices herself
Context of Pans Labyrinth
-directed by Auteur, Guillermo Del Toro, a mexican director known for his practical fx creatures and criticisms of christianity
-set in 1944 spain during the spanish civil war when spain was under the rule of Franco which is why authoritarianism is big theme in the film
-budget was $19m and grossed $83m
Representations in Pans Labyrinth
-Patriarchal
-women portrayed in victimised, motherly and less dominant roles, stereotypical representation but accurate for the time period
-Men represented as dominant, strict and powerful roles
Notes on Ofelia
-represents childhood innocence
-main protagonist
-Sacrifices herself for her brother
-fights the pale man, follows the tasks of the faun
-daughter of Carmen
-when carmen dies is taken in by Mercedes
Notes on Vidal
-represents authoritarianism and fascism
-Patriarchal figure
