Pans Labyrinth

Pans labyrinth 

The director Del Toro has used cinematography and mise en scène to explore and create meaning from within the film. He does this by using different elements from both cinematography and mise en scene. This is all shown through different shots and what’s within the frame of the shot and what the shot may contain. To explain this the scène I have decided to do it the scène where Mercedes is trying to sneak food items and medical supplies and letters to the enemy of her boss Vidal. Later on, she gets caught and is tied up in the food closet and later escape’s Vidal and tries to save ofelia from getting hurt. (1:25:55-1:29:16)

 The scene first begins in the house where everyone lives. From this we see a mid-shot of Mercedes and ofelia outside. we can tell its mise en scence because of the setting used and the props. We know its outside due to the harsh weather conditions and the umbrella Mercedes is holding with her bag of goodies for the enemy tribe. We can also tell its outside due to the sound of rain on Mercedes umbrella and their footsteps on the ground. This sound is also known as diegetic sound because its created within the scene. From this scène the lighting low key and rather dark. This has been used to create a more of a shadowy feel to the scene and may even create a sense of fear when watching it.

While in the woods, we get a close up of Mercedes face looking around at the sound she thought she heard. As she thinks something is getting closer her breathing starts to get heavier. This sound is known as diegetic because its created within the sequence. It has been used to how their panicking from running away as their scared about being caught. When she turns, we see Vidal and his army waiting there all staring at Mercedes and ofelia. This mid shot contains Mercedes and Vidal and we can see both of their facial reactions within the sequence. Mercedes facial reaction is very different compared to Vidal’s. Her reaction is pure shock and confusion. From the close up of her face, we can see how she is physically scared for her life. This has been used to show emotion within the scene and make the audience feel sorry for he- or sympathy. We can see this by the lighting and her facial expressions and the way she acted when seeing Vidal. The lighting on her face is a mixture of light and dark. On her face the lighting is very light, so we can see her reaction whereas in the background the lighting is very dark. The low-key lighting on the face has been used to show her reaction within the film and to show how scared she actually is for her safety as she knows she been caught sneaking things to her brother to keep him and his army healthy. 

The scene then cuts and goes to Ofelia being thrown into her room by Vidal. While there, there is a two shot between Ofelia and Vidal. This has been used to show the two of them and their emotions. There emotions are different compared to each other’s. This means Ofelia is feeling sad and guilty emotions, whereas Vidal’s emptions are mainly anger and betrayal. This is because his head worker has been helping the enemy team for a while behind his back. This is also shown though mise en scene and though their facial expressions and body language. Their facial expressions are very different. Ofilia is fearing her life and crying whereas Vidal’s are anger and hurt. Later on, in the scene he hits the little girl for the actions she has committed. This is linked to the context of the film where we people within the civil war because of general Franco. He conflicted a lot of pain within the people of Spain because he wanted more and more power until he dies in 1975. This is shown in the film throughout when he hurts people in ways we would never normally expect. This is shocking but also normal to an extent. This means, it may be shocking to watch and listen to, but within the century that the film was based in, they were the punishments and ways of dying. The pain Vidial has inflicted can also be seen when he leaves Oflilias room and she physically breaks down. Within the scene we see dark colours which mean the lighting is there to create a dark mood within the scene. We also hear the diegetic sound of her crying. This is because of all the pain she is going through and to show to the audience what it was really like to be part of the civil war and the effects it has on people.

Finally, we get to the scene where Mercedes is facing her punishment for betraying Vidal and helping the army he hates so much. At the beginning of this scene, we can see him trying to intimidate her by emptying her bag in front of her. While doing this the camera zooms out of the bad and zooms out into the room and in particular where Mercedes is getting tied up to the pole just like one of the other people from the enemy army earlier on in the film. The events from earlier in the film may have been a foreshadow of what may happen if Mercedes keeps smuggling things to the other army. While in this scene, there is mise en scene used to show body language between Mercedes and Vidal. This is also a two shot. This shot has been used to show the effect and connection between the two of the and the pain he is causing to her. While the scene is happening, the colour of the room is very dark which portrays a dark and cold room which may change the audience’s mood. This scene then later sees Vidal using his tools to try and intimidate Mercedes. This then later back fires on him as he is hurt by Mercedes when she later escapes. This has been used to show women rights within that generation and how women stands up to men. L