How scenes are set up in movies is a crucial aspect to how a movie is viewed. Mise-en-Scene refers to the placement of lighting, props, characters and so much more in each individual scene of a film. Changing even just one of the many aspects to a physical scene can often change the feel of how the scene is interpreted. Pan’s Labyrinth, a fantasy/thriller, directed by Guillermo del Toro, is a perfect example to how this concept can be emphasized.
Being of a fantasy genre, Pan’s Labyrinth shows some intense scenes with unique characters along the way. When showing the young, female protagonist, there is usually visually more light pointed toward her, as she is portrayed as being innocent throughout the film; if she had not always had a light shinning on her in the film, there could have been countless different interpretations in judge of her character.
Two characters who appear on screen numerous times are Ofelia, the lead protagonist, and Fauno, a beast-like character, who leads Ofelia on quests to prove she is the rightful heir to her throne. When the two characters are shown on screen together, Ofelia is on the lighter end of the room, while Fauno is typically seen lurking in the shadows, making him seem like a more ominous character.
In one particular scene, Ofelia sees the Pale Man on a quest she partakes in for Fauno. In this scene, Ofelia is instructed to remove the dagger of the Pale Man and do nothing else while in the lair. While in the lair of the Pale Man, it can be scene that it is decorated with bright, vibrant colors and a bountiful feast at the table where the Pale Man sits still. With the bright lighting and elegant décor, this scene could be compared to that of a mirage to the rest of the movie; the lair of the Pale Man seems to be one of the only bright and vivid locations encountered by Ofelia, even though it is a place of evil where the Pale Man resides.
Props also play a key role in the development of scenes. Ofelia carries a book around with her, telling of all tasks and information about how she could be the reborn, lost princess of the underworld. With the book being in virtually every scene, it acts as symbolic to the storytelling of the film (as Ofelia is the focus of the movie and many of the aspects revolve and impact her life) and the baseline for what Ofelia begins to learn about her unknown past life. Another important prop used by Ofelia would be the chalk used to open gateways to and from her home and the lair of the Pale Man. This chalk serves as a bridge from light to dark aspects of the world, as much of the movie seems to have a very grim atmosphere apart from the décor and brightness of inside the lair of the Pale Man.
Another key takeaway from the scene setup throughout the film is the position of space between characters, especially with that of Ofelia and the general. Ofelia’s mother wants her to call the general her father, but Ofelia ultimately refuses to do so, leaving a gap between their relationship and a physical gap between the two seen on screen numerous times (graphic blocking). Also, as the movie progresses, the physical space between Ofelia and Fauno seems to close in, leaving the two to grow a deeper connection with each other. Having met Fauno very early on in the film, it can be seen how the space between him and Ofelia increases and decreases, depending on the tensions and feelings they collectively share.
Works Cited
Pan’s Labyrinth. Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Performances by Ivana Baquero, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Doug Jones, Ariadna Gil and Álex Angulo
Picture of Ofelia and Fauno. SafiaSouthy.com, 28 January 2018, https://www.safiasouthey.com/blog-2/2018/1/28/eyes-and-obedience-in-pans-labyrinth
Picture of the Pale Man’s Lair. BlogSpot, 2 November 2017, http://elisefilm.blogspot.com/2017/11/with-close-reference-to-two-scenes-from.html
Picture of Ofelia and book. GirlMuseum, 24 September 2016, https://www.girlmuseum.org/review-ofelia-from-pans-labyrinth/
Maria Palmeri CMS 285 