Pan’s Labyrinth is a 2006 film written and directed by the Mexican artist Guillermo del Toro. Blending elements of fantasy and history, it tells the story of a young girl growing up in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, and the magical, yet dangerous, world in which she finds an escape. In 1944, five years after the end of the war, an eleven-year-old girl named Ofelia moves to the ravaged countryside to live with her mother’s new husband, Captain Vidal of the Fascist army. There she discovers an ancient labyrinth; exploring it one night she meets a mysterious Faun, who reveals to Ofelia her true identity as the long-lost Princess Moanna, and tells her that she must complete three tasks “before the moon is full” in order to reclaim her magical throne. Ofelia initially is successful with the tasks, but things quickly take a sharp turn for the worse. In addition to the increasingly dark and complicated tasks she faces in the magical realm, Ofelia also must deal with Captain Vidal’s sociopathic cruelty and her pregnant mother’s worsening illness. When rebel soldiers surround the camp, Captain Vidal turns murderous, and Ofelia makes the choice to sacrifice herself rather than forsake her newborn baby brother. As Ofelia is dying, her surroundings dissolve and she reappears in the magical world, where she is welcomed as a Princess; however, in the “real” world, Ofelia is shown taking her final breath. Therefore, the movie ends with the interplay of the real and fantastic left ambiguous and up to the audience to interpret.
- and answer the following questions:
- Opening Sequence (consider visual images and musical score, the Faun’s Voiceover, our introduction to protagonist Ofelia and to the magical insect): Comment on the opening sequence: the impression/mood created, your interpretation of the (visual, musical, vocal) information provided, and what the opening leads you to expect from this film.
- Three Worlds: The “real” world, Ofelia’s “magic” world, and the Faun’s “underworld” – Compare/contrast the visual presentations, color palettes, characters and creatures of these worlds.
- Main Character (Protagonist): Analyze Ofelia – AKA: Princess Moanna. What are the three tasks/tests that Ofelia/Princess Moanna must perform? Does she pass or fail the tests? How do Ofelia’s actions illustrate the theme of “choice and disobedience”?
- Main Character (Antagonist): Analyze Capt. Vidal (consider his room, his father’s watch, his behaviors, violence, interactions with his family). Who is the “monster” in this film.
- Comment on the effect/significance of the continual cross-cutting and alternation between the magical worlds and the real world, the unique “wipes” and transitions that shift us between these worlds, the “rhyming” or parallel elements that play roles in both worlds: e.g. the keys, the daggers, the sumptuous banquets. At what points do these worlds bleed into each other and merge?
- Comment on the use of sound/music, color, other memorable or unusual shots, images, scenes, or sequences.
- Describe and explain your reactions to the controversial endings of the film. Note the circular structure of the film – ending where it began. What happens to Ofelia? What happens to Princess Moanna?
- What questions or other comments do you have about the film?
