Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
“El laberinto del fauno”
Drama, Fantasy, War |
Pan’s Labyrinth is a fantasy film written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. The film, a Spanish-Mexican co-production, stars Ivana Baquero, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Doug Jones, and Ariadna Gil.
The story takes place in Spain during the summer of 1944, five years after the Spanish Civil War, during the early Francoist period. The narrative intertwines this real world with a mythical world centered on an overgrown, abandoned labyrinth and a mysterious faun creature, with whom the main character, Ofelia, interacts. Ofelia’s stepfather, the Falangist Captain Vidal, hunts the Spanish Maquis who fight against the Francoist regime in the region, while Ofelia’s pregnant mother Carmen grows increasingly ill. Ofelia meets several strange and magical creatures who become central to her story, leading her through the trials of the old labyrinth garden. The film employs make-up, animatronics, and CGI effects to bring life to its creatures.
In a fairy tale, Princess Moanna, whose father is the king of the underworld, visits the human world, where the sunlight blinds her and erases her memory. She becomes mortal and eventually dies. The king believes that eventually, her spirit will return to the underworld, so he builds labyrinths (which act as portals) around the world in preparation for her return.
In 1944 Francoist Spain, ten-year-old Ofelia travels with her pregnant but sickly mother Carmen to meet Captain Vidal, her new stepfather. Vidal, the son of a famed commander who died in Morocco, believes strongly in Falangism and has been assigned to hunt down republican rebels. A large stick insect, which Ofelia believes to be a fairy, leads Ofelia into an ancient stone labyrinth, but she is stopped by Vidal’s housekeeper Mercedes, who is secretly supporting her brother Pedro and other rebels.
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Writer: Guillermo del Toro
Stars: Ivana Baquero, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Doug Jones, Ariadna Gil, Álex Angulo, Manolo Solo
Cast:
Ivana Baquero | … | Ofelia |
Sergi López | … | Vidal |
Maribel Verdú | … | Mercedes |
Doug Jones | … | Fauno / Pale Man |
Ariadna Gil | … | Carmen |
Álex Angulo | … | Doctor Ferreiro |
Manolo Solo | … | Garcés |
César Vea | … | Serrano |
Roger Casamajor | … | Pedro |
Ivan Massagué | … | El Tarta |
Gonzalo Uriarte | … | Francés |
Eusebio Lázaro | … | Padre |
Francisco Vidal | … | Sacerdote (as Paco Vidal) |
Juanjo Cucalón | … | Alcalde |
Lina Mira | … | Esposa del alcalde |
Mario Zorrilla | … | Jefe de botiquín |
Sebastián Haro | … | Capitán Guardia Civil |
Mila Espiga | … | Esposa del doctor |
Pepa Pedroche | … | Conchita |
Lalá Gatóo | … | Jacinta (as María Jesús Gatoo) |
Ana Sáez | … | Paz |
Chani Martín | … | Trigo |
Milo Taboada | … | Joven |
Fernando Albizu | … | Maquinista |
Pedro G. Marzo | … | Encargado |
José Luis Torrijo | … | Sargento Bayona |
Íñigo Garcés | … | Joven Guerrillero |
Fernando Tielve | … | Joven Guerrillero 2 |
Federico Luppi | … | Rey |
Chicho Campillo | … | Anciano |
Pablo Adán | … | Narrador / Voz fauno (voice) |
Eduardo Aránega | … | Captain Vidal’s Soldier (uncredited) |
Luke Burnyeat | … | Soldier (uncredited) |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia
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