Pan's Labyrinth Essay

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Pan’s Labyrinth, (El laberinto del fauno) (2006) by Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro is a Spanish-Mexican film which tells the tale of a young, imaginative 11 year-old girl – called Ofelia - who has a love for books and fairy tales. The story depicts events which involve her, and occur during the year 1944, in the setting of Spain living under a fascist regime as a result of the War. The film uses the aspect of fantasy and imagination to portray many themes within the narrative, themes which stem from the war and its impact which it has made in the county of Spain. The themes which can be taken from Pan’s Labyrinth include; the forces of resistance, rebellion and oppression - and the aspiration for liberation. Childhood and disobedience …show more content…

This retreat is also the home of the labyrinth, where Ofelia’s fairy tale fantasies come to life before her eyes. It is during this drive, early in the film, where we are made aware of her high levels of curiosity as she clutches her book and is intrigued by the insect-like fairy whom catches her attention when they stop during the journey due to Carmen feeling nauseated. It is in this introductory scene where Ofelia’s mother makes a comment to her daughter suggesting that she is too old for story books, calling them nonsense. She says: “Fairy tales? You’re too old to be filling your head with such nonsense”. Despite her mother’s views, she continues to engross herself in her fantasy world. Ofelia conflicts with everything that affects her in the real world and disobeys. It can be argued that these acts of disobedience represent acts of oppression and the resistance fighting against the fascist regime. When Ofelia meets the Captain for the first time, she offers him her left hand when invited to a handshake. The Captain, whom is a radical right wing official, strives to conduct even the smallest of everyday tasks in the appropriate way in all circumstances and he is greatly offended to receive the wrong hand from Ofelia. He tells her “that’s the wrong hand” which

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