Scene Analysis: Closing Scene

Question 1

Cinematography:
1. Over the shoulder shot of Vidal behind Ofelia
2. Low angle of Ofelia talking to Vidal
3. High angle of Ofelia in robes, turns to low angle
4. Close up of flower
5. handheld camera when Vidal is drugged
6. blue and yellow tones colliding

Answer 1

1. builds suspense
2. power dynamic
3. shows her journey into adulthood/womanhood
4. shows rebirth and journey
5. fascism being weakened
6. shows all aspects of the narrative joining, reality and fantasy are coming together

Question 2

Sound:
1. Suspenseful non diegetic sound combined with diegetic explosions
2. Baby crying during intense moments
3. Diegetic sound of Mercedes humming to Ofelia
4. Loud and dramatic non diegetic sound
5. Non diegetic sound speeds up as Vidal takes the gun out
6. Sound bridge of Mercedes humming: from ‘heaven’ back to reality
7. Mystical music as panning to labyrinth
8. Gunfire accompanied by melancholic non diegetic sound when Ofelia and Vidal are shot

Answer 2

1. creates overwhelming sense
2. emphasises drama and intensity
3. mirrors how she hummed to Ofelia earlier on: shows Mercedes’ maternal instincts
4. music matches mood
5. builds suspense
6. regresses us back to reality
7. shows progression into fantasy realm
8. shocks viewer

Question 3

Mise en scene:
1. ‘Heaven’ is golden
2. Ofelia’s shoes and cloak
3. darkness of mill
4. walls of the Labyrinth parting
5. the flower
6. Vidal shooting Ofelia in the stomach

Answer 3

1. connotes wealth and royalty. hierarchy; high chairs
2. Shoes echo the Wizard of Oz and cloak echoes Little Red Riding Hood
3. contrasts the explosions
4. mirrors the parting of the Red Sea
5. references new life and the story Ofelia tells her brother in the womb
6. stomach is near the womb; damaging fertility

Question 4

Editing;
1. Shaky camera when Vidal is drugged
2. Pan to the top of the Labyrinth when Ofelia walks in
3. Match on action; Ofelia’s blood dripping onto the Labyrinth, reflection of moon
4. cross fades between real and fantasy world

Answer 4

1. expresses the feeling of being drugged
2. mirrors opening scene
3. moon symbolises final task

Question 5

Performance:
1. Ofelia scared of Vidal but willing to disobey Faun and Vidal
2. Mercedes treats Vidal like a monster
3. Vidal is a sadist
4. Mercedes humming
5. Vidal straightens his stances when surrounded by the Rebels

Answer 5

2. doesn’t fulfill his dying wish
3. drinks even though it hurts his mouth
4. maternal instinct
5. trying to look powerful; recognises that his death is imminent and he wants to die with pride