Scene Analysis: Opening Scene

Question 1

Cinematography:
1. Two shot of Carmen and Vidal
2. Glowy and heavenly filter
3. Low angle shot of Vidal looking at Ofelia
4. Camera follows Ofelia
5. Zoom into the underworld
6. Ofelia central to frame
7. Close up of Vidal touching Carmen’s stomach

Answer 1

1. Shows power dynamic
2. Represents Ofelia’s innocent and one dimensional view of the world
3. Shows power dynamic and how intimidating he is to her
4. Shows we are following her on HER journey
5. Taking us into the underworld
6. Establishes her role as protagonist
7. Indirectly tells the audience Carmen is pregnant

Question 2

Sound:
1. Lullaby at beginning
2. Diegetic sound of stop watch
3. Volume increase as Ofelia sees the Labyrinth
4. Lack of music when talking to Vidal

Answer 2

1. generic convention of fantasy
2. signifies importance
3. pivotal plot moment
4. creates a sense of tension

Question 3

Mise en scene:
1. Cut to underworld
2. Transition back to reality
3. Stick creature
4. Ofelia and Carmen’s clothes
5. Soldiers/Captains possess smart and orderly uniform

Answer 3

1. Not holding back on fantasy elements
2. Causes audience to initially think it is still in fantasy world
3. Ofelia is captivated by it, draws her away from the real world
4. dress similarly: shows bond
5. shows their authority

Question 4

Editing:
1. Reverse shot of nosebleed
2. Transition through Ofelia’s eye into underworld
3. Voiceover of Ofelia’s shallow breathing overlapped with lullaby

Answer 4

1. Symbolises cyclical nature of life, death and birth
2. implies it’s all in her head
3. tranquility presents theme of death, and foreshadows Ofelia’s sacrifice to reunite with her father

Question 5

Performance:
1. Carmen is visibly sick; out of breath from standing and holds onto Ofelia
2. Mercedes is hard to read; acts caring and motherly towards Ofelia
3. Vidal constantly looking at watch
4. Vidal forgets about Ofelia and nearly shuts door on her
5. Ivana Baquero: bloodied with laboured breathing
6. Ofelia’s quick reaction to Carmen’s nausea and her mature acceptance of criticism
7. Vidal’s lack of affection and strict timekeeping

Answer 5

1. shows her dependence of Ofelia and straight away tells us this pregnancy is difficult
2. foreshadows her double life
3. Very wary of time and orderly
4. Shows his dismissal and sexism
5. evokes pity and horror
6. juxtaposes her childish love of fairy tales and her innocent curiosity: highlights the conflict between childhood and emerging adulthood
7. gives insight into his coldness and cruelty