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Real and Make Believe: The House and Forest
Pan's Labyrinth is set in a rural part of Spain during the reign of Francisco Franco. However, the majority of the movie takes place in a house owned by the fascist, Captain Vidal, which creates an intentionally claustrophobic feeling. The only people that are allowed to move around at all are the anti-fascism rebels who maintain different camps in the forest. In this shot, it is easy to see that the forest is very close to the house, giving the impression that it is slowly marching to consume it (as it finally does when the rebels demolish the house at the end of the movie). The woods are also encircling, providing no escape from their presence, no matter what direction the camera is facing. The house on the other hand is a marker of civilization. It is in an area clear of trees, flanked with uniformed guards, and rather grandly proportioned for the location. However, it looks beleaguered, with the bricks unevenly arranged and dusty from age.
The meaning of the woods and house is revealed by Del Toro's placement of important locations. The rebels and the labyrinth, occupy the woods where danger, hope, and magic intermingle. The fascists and adults occupy the house, clinging to the "real" world and its "laws."
Real and Make Believe: The House and Forest
Pan's Labyrinth is set in a rural part of Spain during the reign of Francisco Franco. However, the majority of the movie takes place in a house owned by the fascist, Captain Vidal, which creates an intentionally claustrophobic feeling. The only people that are allowed to move around at all are the anti-fascism rebels who maintain different camps in the forest. In this shot, it is easy to see that the forest is very close to the house, giving the impression that it is slowly marching to consume it (as it finally does when the rebels demolish the house at the end of the movie). The woods are also encircling, providing no escape from their presence, no matter what direction the camera is facing. The house on the other hand is a marker of civilization. It is in an area clear of trees, flanked with uniformed guards, and rather grandly proportioned for the location. However, it looks beleaguered, with the bricks unevenly arranged and dusty from age.
The meaning of the woods and house is revealed by Del Toro's placement of important locations. The rebels and the labyrinth, occupy the woods where danger, hope, and magic intermingle. The fascists and adults occupy the house, clinging to the "real" world and its "laws."