performance analysis: pans labyrinth

performance:

-looking closely at how the actor physically portrays the on-screen character. e.g. stance of character, facial expression and the delivery of dialogue. - how does this convey meaning.

analysing performance:

- during the scene when the Fascists capture rabbit hunters, Vidal appears emotionless during and after killing them.  this helps convey the sadistic nature of the fascist leaders and suggests that they are unsympathetic towards death.

pans labyrinth context

Pans Labyrinth context:

Films are depictions of people, places and events and therefore reflect the values and culture of the society that produces them.

the fantasy element:

-the fantasy elements of Pan’s Labyrinth can be interpreted in multiple ways:

-One interpretation is that Ofelia imagines the faun and other fantasy elements as a way of coping with the horrors of war and the oppression of fascism. Whether these elements are real or part of Ofelia’s imagination is intentionally left ambiguous.

-However, the impact of fascism is still evident in the fantasy elements.The toad that is destroying the tree is a clear allegory for how the Franco regime was sucking the life out of Spain.

Del Toro:

-was brought up in a strict catholic home.

-described as an auteur director.

-Catholicism and religious imagery are a constant factor in his films. 

-links fascism with religion, as they both force unquestioned obedience.  

social context:

-this refers to society's dominant attitudes and beliefs including debates about ethnicity and gender.

cultural context:

-refers to the fashions that were significant at the time of the films production and could include a studio style or an art movement.

political context:

-the impact of the contemporary political climate on the themes of the film, their representations and the production process. 

institutional contexts:

-who made the film and what framework were they working within? 

- what funding was available and what restrictions were placed on the filmmakers?

pans labyrinth: a political film

To what extent is Pans Labyrinth a political film?

Evidence to suggest the extent to which Pans Labyrinth is a political film:

- Through the representations of Vidal and the other fascists, the film places a lot of focus on political ideologies and ideas. Vidal's character is unlikable to audiences which aids Del Toro's message that fascism was oppressive and inhospitable to women and the majority of civilians. the character of Vidal contrasts with the rebels, who are likeable and appear to be caring. this conveys the films message that Fascism needed to be overthrown in order to create a more accepting and loving Spain.    

- The symbolism of the fantasy element helps portray the film as political. the 'pale man' scene has connections to religion, which is significant as Del Toro often linked religion to Fascism due to its often oppressive nature and due to the fact that religion expects unquestioned obedience from its members. this therefore portrays Del Toro's opinions on fascism, as he has previously expressed his contempt towards his catholic upbringing. 

-The frog inside the tree also represents the destructive nature of the fascist regime, as the frog destroys the tree from the inside. Fascism also destroyed Spain from the inside, leaving it bereft of beauty and life. this metaphor also conveys the powerlessness held by Spanish civilians due to the oppressive nature of the fascist regime and dictators. 

pans labyrinth: scene analysis- vidal vs merceses

Pans Labyrinth:


how are the key elements of filmed to conduct representation in this scene and how do they contribute to help construct the films messages regarding representations of gender.


gender is presented through out the film as being unequal. many different elements are used to convey this message, including sound, cinematography and mise-en-scene. during the 1940s, Spain was dictated by a fascist government. this meant the the segregation between men and women became greater and more inequalities arose.  

Through the exaggerated diegetic sound used to emphasise the rope tying up Mercedes, Del Toro presents the power division between men and women in 1940s Spain. Mercedes is encumbered by the rope, which symbolises the dominance held by Vidal over her. his dominance is also representative of the patriarchal society during the fascist regime. the emphasis put onto the rope through the exaggerated diegetic sound helps place the audiences attention on the ropes symbol of patriarchy and oppression. this portrays the films message of gender inequality, and conveys ideas of powerlessness held by women. the symbol of the rope (prop) specifically, gives a powerful message of patriarchy, as a rope is cheap and relatively weak. this suggests that women were viewed by society as easy to contain as they are also weak and fragile. the rope also suggests that society didn't care about the oppression of women, as objects of restriction used for women were common and brittle, hinting that the patriarchal system was easy to enforce. 

through the mise-en-scene and the image of Mercedes hiding her knife, Del Toro represents women as secretive and restricted. the fact that the knife is hidden suggests that women's skills and strengths had to be hidden due to the patriarchal society in Spain at the time. women's strength and power was contained due the dominance of men and the disdainful attitude that was held by powerful men against women. the audience are aware of the knife which is hidden by Mercedes, however Vidal is not. this hints that the patriarchal system and the supercilious manner possessed by people in positions of power was a flaw in the fascist regime. this idea is conveyed by the director as Vidal's downfall is partly due to the fact that he didn't acknowledge the power and intelligence of women, especially Mercedes. therefore, women are presented in this scene as powerful yet invisible through mise-en-scene. furthermore, the mise-en-scene also helps Del Toro portray powerful men as ignorant to the true strength of women, as Vidal is unaware of Mercedes intelligence and bravery, which ultimately leads to his downfall. 

Moreover, the the camera angle and positioning helps to convey male dominance in this scene. there are high angle shots on Vidal and low angle shots on Mercedes. the low angle shots suggests that women were frowned upon and were not respected by men in 1940s Spain. the high angle shots on Vidal inevitably places him in a position of authority and high status over Mercedes. the director does this to show the audience that men were the more powerful gender and that everyone was expected to look up to and show respect to men of power. Therefore the camera angles used to show Vidal and Mercedes purposefully juxtapose each other in order to illustrate the segregation and inequality between the genders under Franco's leadership, and presents women as subordinate to men in the patriarchal society.     

auteur theory

Auteur theory:

This theory apply for vertigo, One Flew Over, and Pulp Fiction. 

-Auteur = author
-the idea that a film reflects the directors creative vision.
- this means that directors have a style that is easily recognisable to audiences.
-movies are a form of art
-the director is the leading creative person on the film production and puts their interpretation and vision into the film they are making.

Quentin Tarantino is an example of an Auteur director
as his films are easily recognisable.

mark scheme

city of god: directors interview

City of god interview

Merielles was interviewed shortly after his films release, and noted the significance of many aspects present in his film. 

the director of the City of God was interviewed after the films release:

-The film was only intended to reach audiences in Brazil rather than a wider international audience.

-the director was from a middle-class background in Brazil, however wanted to film City of God from an inside perspective. this gave audiences an accurate representation of the favelas that they were not used to being exposed to.

-the film was a success in Brazil because of the debates it provoked.

-favelas are now worse than in the period that the film ends. they are all controlled by drug dealers

-music is an important part of the film as it is involved in Brazilians day to day life. the film uses it to capture the fun environment of the favelas.

- the majority of what appears on screen has been improvised by the actors in order to give the film a realistic feel.

-Rocket represents hope in the film, as none of the drug dealers experienced hope in their lives.

-the director aimed to present violence and gangs in a negative light, rather than glamorising it.

This interview will help with my understanding of the film as it gives insight as to why the film was made, why it was a success and what the political and social context was around the time the film was made.