Pans Labyrinth European Film We will consider Film

Pan’s Labyrinth European Film

We will consider: • Film Form- Analyse the key elements of film form in the chosen European film. • Meaning and Response- Consider the various representations evident within the film. • The contexts of Film- Explain the context in which the film was produced.

Film Form • Cinematography • Mise-en-scene • Editing • Sound • Performance

Meaning and Response Learners must develop their study of the key elements of film form to analyse how these elements create meaning and generate audience response. This includes: • Representations (gender, ethnicity and age) – These must be considered for all six films studied. It is always important to remember that representation includes what is left out of a film, as well as what it contains. • Aesthetics – How the key elements of film form work together to create the overall look and mood of the film.

Representation- a definition Representations are the ways in which films portrays particular people, communities, experiences or ideas from a particular ideological perspective. Fundamentally, how do the films present the world to the spectator? Within the films studied, the identification of representation should be informed by a sense of context. Learners must study key relevant examples of age, ethnicity and gender from their chosen film. It is important to remember that representation includes what is left out of a film, as well as what it contains.

Representation Starter Questions • How does the film challenge or reinforce stereotypes? • What is emphasised by the representation? • What does the representation neglect to tell us? • Is a particular group being under-represented or omitted entirely? Why? • What are the dominant messages of the film and how are these reinforced by representations? • What dominant ideologies are being presented or criticised by the representation on screen? • What are the film’s social and political contexts? • How are the elements of film form used to construct the representation?

Ofelia Discuss the representation of her, looking at the images provided. You should comment on: • • Setting and character. Costume. Props as linked to character. Facial Expression. • In all of the above link this with representation of the female of the child, of ideologies- what is she meant to represent? What does she represent to you?

Meaning and Response Home-work- Research Part of the pleasure is the myriad of interpretations that the film is open to • Myths and fairy tales, including the rule of three and archetypal characters • Spanish civil war, including: the rise of fascism; the links between Spain and Mexico during this time; Franco; the maquis; it’s impact on Spain • Parallelism and duality (as concepts and then related to Pan’s Labyrinth • Guillermo de Toro specifically his interests and influences and his signature as a director (auteurism) • Symbolism: • Paganism • Catholicism • Creatures- Faun, Giant Toad, The Pale Man • Labyrinths • Keys • The story of the rose

Captain Vidal Discuss the representation of him, looking at the images provided. You should comment on: • • Setting and character. Costume. Props as linked to character. Facial Expression. • In all of the above link this with representation of the male, how does he represent New Spain, his ideologies- what is he meant to represent? What does he represent to you?

Relationship with others…

Mise-en-scene- Setting and representations of Old and New Spain What are the connotations of setting? Old Spain Pagan/ Magic Realism- Underworld: ancient, decaying, nostalgic, golden. New Spain Order, ‘clean’, fascist, violent, repressive.

Parallelism- two feasts

Film Elements Make notes on: • Setting • Set design, including colours and use of lighting • Props • Character • Performance

Meaning and Response • Visually the two scenes are very similar- see framing, props, positioning of the fire and the table. • What links are we therefore to make between the two sequences? • How is the pale man and Vidal linked? • What is the symbolism behind the eyes of the ‘pale man’?

Starter: Women in Pan’s Labyrinth Generally the representation of women reflects the problems faced by the women in this patriarchal and macho era.

Representation- Political • How are Franco’s fascist forces depicted within the film? • How is Franco’s new Spain presented? • How are the guerrillas presented?

Cinematography, including lighting The elements of cinematography that you need to be aware of and able to discuss include: • Camera shots including point of view shots, • focus including depth of field, • expressive and canted angle shots, • handheld camera in contrast to steadicam technology • the principles of 3 point lighting including key, fill and backlighting • composition, including balanced and unbalanced shots • monochrome cinematography • how all aspects of cinematography can generate multiple connotations and suggest a range of interpretation • how shot selection relates to narrative development and conveys messages and values • how lighting, including 3 point lighting, conveys character, atmosphere and messages and values.

Lighting in Pan's Labyrinth: Create a PPT including the following. 1. Research three point lighting; high key lighting and low key lighting. 2. Research the lighting used in Pan's Labyrinth; visit websites such as • https: //www. nyfa. edu/student-resources/best-cinematography-exploringlight-dark-pans-labyrinth/ • https: //vjpreisler 2015. wordpress. com/2015/05/21/lighting-on-panslabyrinth/ • https: //amaralilium. wordpress. com/2014/11/21/week-2 -pans-labyrinthlighting/ • http: //kevincoynedp. com/illumination/2017/3/15/film-study-pans-labyrinth Using all you have learnt, create a Power. Point that explores the use of lighting in Pan's Labyrinth. Choose up to five images and screenshot them. Then analyse what you find interesting about the lighting used in these key shots.

Sample Exam Questions Either, (a) With close reference to the two films you have studied, explore how either performance or mise-en-scène create meaning. [40] Or, (b) With close reference to the two films you have studied, explore how either editing or sound create meaning. [40]

Responses- Possible Content Candidates may consider how either performance or mise-enscène create meaning by exploring their connotations or they may relate their discussion to a wider appreciation of the narratives and thematic concerns of the films. Either approach is acceptable. This specification treats lighting as part of cinematography. Some candidates may, following traditional academic approaches, consider lighting as part of mise-en-scène. This is acceptable.