Pans Labyrinth Flashcards
What date was Pans labyrinth released. Who directed and who was the cinematographer. Genre.
2006, Guillermo del Toro, Guillermo Navarro. Dark fairytale
How are character dynamics shown in pans
Social blocking between characters used to show their dynamics, with proxemics often used to show their relationships with each other. This is enhanced by emotive performances,
Why is narration at beginning of pans important?
Voice over at beginning and end of film provide depth to the narrative - is exposition, provides context for the fantasy world. This is the same voice as the fawn; he is a guide for both Ofelia and audience and the bridge between reality and fantasy. Not contained by both worlds.
What is used in the opening scenes in terms of music and Ofelia
Narrative cueing. The melancholic, sad melody mixed with a shot tracking up Ofelia’s body links her character with tragedy from the start of the film
What transitions does del toro use
Vertical and horizontal wipes to transition between human and fantasy worlds. Setting is utilised - for example in parallel scenes of Ofelia and rebels walking through forest, a tree is used to wipe between the two scenes, creating sense of proximity between the two worlds
How is darkness used in pans labyrinth
Guillermo and Navarro had similar techniques with lighting; they both have very unconventional styles. They used darkness instead of light, eg the fawn moves in and out of darkness and is never fully lit.
How did del toro shoot night time scenes
Shot day for night, deliberately underexposed film by four stops. However, Navarro kept lighting effects that would only be achievable through sunlight, in night time scenes. These two techniques gave the footage an eerie feel as it doesn’t quite look like the world the audience is used to seeing.
How is colour used in pans fantasy world
Fantasy world is covered in a sepia wash, tinting everything golden. Combines with the colour palette of nature, makes the fantasy world seem warm and as though Ofelia is never truly in danger
How is colour used in pans reality
Reality is coloured in blue tints that get more obvious in scenes when Vidal is shooting people, often coupled with pathetic fallacy (eg doctor scene). Lack of warmth. Vidal and men’s uniforms are also blue-grey.
How does the use of colour change near the end of the film.
When the rebel forces and Vidals men clash for the final time the two worlds fantasy and reality begin to merge. The dark blue tone of reality is suffused with warm golden-red tones of fantasy, as Vidal chases Ofelia through the labyrinth.
When is pans set and how is this shown. What do Ofelia and Vidal represent.
Pans is set during the early Francoist period, as shown by the wartime setting. Vidal is an extension of the views and actions of dictator Francisco Franco, Ofelia is a representation of the lives lost in the Spanish Civil war - specifically, the Lost Children of Franco (300,000)
When was the Spanish Civil war and what was the result
1936 to 1939, Republicans (rebels and Ofelia) vs nationalists (Franco). This war results in the establishment of the Spanish State under Francisco Franco
What’s the pact of forgetting
1975, decision not to deal with Franco’s legacy, put past behind them and concentrate on future of Spain. This meant that people responsible for mass suffering and purges weren’t prosecuted
What’s historical memory law
Passed in 2007, officially condemned Franco state and gave aid and in some cases citizenship to the victims of civil war
