*Pan’s Labyrinth* History and Film
Are there truly messages to be learned by today’s historical films?
What is significant about this film is the fact it is a Spanish film. A very hard look back for a country that suffered at the hands of Franco.
Set against the backdrop of the countryside of Spain during Franco’s oppressive rule in 1944, Spanish filmmaker, Guillermo del Toro, offers us a historical fantasy. It accurately depicts a period in relatively recent Western history so horrible, yet so ignored. Particularly in America, save for Chevy Chase’s announcements on early episodes of Saturday Night Live in 1975, that Francisco Franco was still dead. Pan’s Labyrinth is both vile and sublime, painfully true to the facts of the period. The story is based in fact; as a result, del Toro’s story is valuable for all audiences.
Francisco Franco’s rule of Spain spanned from 1939 to 1975. By 1939, Franco received support from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. He remained their de facto commander in Spain and used both countries’ military to smash all parties who oppressed his impending rule. In that same year, Franco had signed death sentences ranging in numbers from 15,000 to 27,000. These numbers include military, rebels and innocent victims.
What is additionally significant about this film is the fact it is a Spanish film. A very hard look back for a country that suffered at the hands of Franco.
No scene is more impactful then that of del Toro’s closing image. It captures the very essence of what many have called an evil man. More importantly, it speaks to us directly from the past. The message is for the viewer to discern.
Franco’s oppressive rule can be evidenced by five key factors. Franco systematically attacks first, non-governmental trade unions, and physically smashes all political opposition of any kind. Secondly, his rule oppresses the multi-regional nature of the country itself. Spain boasts of many cultures within a culture. Franco outlawed all Catalan, Galician and Basque languages. His use of the Guardia Civil, mindless murders to police civilians would be considered a crime against Humanity by today’s standards. However, Franco’s final flaw was his paranoia that there always lingered a Masonic conspiracy around every corner. He was said to be obsessed with this fear.
There have been negative reviews of Pan’s Labyrinth, stating Sergi Lopez’s character as Captain Vidal is two-dimensional, and that the film is too cartoon-like. Many feel it has simply been over-rated. Ivana Baquero’s portrayal of our little heroine, Ofelia remains brilliant. As does del Toro’s story and his direction. He paints a dark picture, with the help of cinematographer, Guillermo Navarro. Only to jolt us out into a place of light, of dreams and of hope. More importantly, del Toro takes this story to a place no story should go because it is based in fact. Lopez portrays his character keenly, as two-dimensional as his duties would have been carried out under Franco, those being life or death for all those who opposed his leader.
Pan’s Labyrinth begins with a young girl traveling with her pregnant mother to meet her new stepfather, played by Sergi Lopez, who is a Captain for the civilian police. Our heroine, little Ofelia has a world all her own. There her deceased father lives as a King and like the real world around her; she must trust a savvy creature slightly resembling the Greek God. Del Toro makes numerous references to the number seven. A recurring factor in Ofelia’s imaginary world. Besought with trouble, nonetheless it is Ofelia’s beautiful world and one day she will reign as Queen, but not until she passes her imaginary test. Our director allows her to pass that test and by so doing, he makes a passionate cry for the ultimate victims of politics and war.
Ivana Baquero, aged 12 portrays her character with uncanny innocence. The entire piece holds historical significance and del Toro’s screenplay affects the senses in such a way, that we witness, or suffer, the horror of Franco’s regime through a child’s eyes. In this case, her imagination; her only refuge against the world around her. Pan’s Labyrinth is a rare achievement. Innocence is pitted against evil and evil wins. Because, unfortunately, history tells us so, and so does this film.
