Pan's Labyrinth: Key Film Elements + Essay Prep

Pan's Labyrinth: Film Elements Notes.

Sound
- All the diegetic sound is very over exaggerated such as the sheathing of her knife from her dress. The exaggerated sound creates suspense and builds focus on smaller aspects such as the individual stabs
-Intense sound effect is used when Vidal lifts up hammer to build up tension and we are made to feel uncomfortable and believe Mercedes is in trouble - this mislead builds suspense. We empathise with Mercedes.
- No sound so the audience are independent of their emotions. There are no guidelines to how we are supposed to feel about the scene.
-Quiet non-diegetic music is played when Mercedes is stabbing Vidal to portray retaliation and the audience is inevitably taken aback.
- Sound of rope tying her up is exaggerated and enhanced which suggests how powerless she is and reflects how restricted she is. the rope is a symbol of her inferiority and so the enhanced sound on the rope helps to reflect this- Suddenly a slow chromatic violin scale starts playing, creating tension and fear. The subtle change of notes creates a very uneasy , and unpredictable atmosphere.
- The scene starts with all diegetic sound, all background noises are faintly heard such as a horse and the creaking of the door.

Cinematography 
- Close ups of weapons - foreshadows danger/violence
- Framed around Vidal and Mercedes throughout the scene tending to focus on the person in control of the situation, binary opposition changing.

- Heavy saturation - shows how bleak the situation is- High contrast, creates strong patches of over exposed areas on the actors faces, compared to other parts, of the scene. highlighting their emotional state.
- Low angle shot on Mercedes, high angle shot on Vidal
- Low angle for Vidal (@ start of scene) and mid shot for Mercedes shows we are meant to feel more intimidated by Vidal and Mercedes is meant to be seen as invisible and goes with the furniture as if she was meant to be there as the camera is more balanced 
- Low key lighting created by natural from windows and cracks in walls, which focuses on Vidal at the start of the scene.
- Mostly static shots.
- Vidal close up of putting stitches in his mouth.

Editing
- As danger is imminent the pace of the scene begins to build (could reflect of the pace Mercedes heart is racing at). The continuous flow disappears.
- By cutting on action, the pace is increased, gradually. Although the cuts do not get extremely fast, creating a blurry scene for the audience.
- Continuous editing to enable the audience to maintain engagement with Vidal.
- Cutaways to Vidal holding torture instruments.
- Extremely long cuts, slowing down the pace.- Simple cuts- not to over complicate the action.- The quick transitions in-between each action and the pace of the editing builds up which reflects on the determination of Mercedes trying to escape.
- The scene begins with continuous shot, we able to embrace and maintain focus in the scene. It completely slows the pace down and builds suspense.

Mise-en-Scene

- Colour- dull wash of grey/navy blue to create a frightening, and unpredictable atmosphere,- Hidden knife resembles how the women have to hide their true selves (her power, and cunning skill) as they are seen as subordinate to the men- this directly contrasts the scene- the reveal of the knife shows the reveal of Mercedes true self.
- The hammer - imagery of Vidal taking down communism, shows the fascists have complete control -> makes audience more fearful of them, Vidal dropping the hammer shows the fascists losing their power
- Vidal stands over Mercedes. She has a kitchen knife to show her strength and bravery, or to show that she was expecting something like this would happen to her.
- Vidal undoing his shirt as the scene begins how he isn't threatened by the situation/Mercedes.

Essay Plan:
Question:
How are the key elements of film form used to construct representations in this scene & how do they contribute to/help to construct the film's messages regarding representations of gender

- The scene: Mercedes captured by Vidal, takes her revenge out on him

Plan Essay here

Key elements:
- Mise-en-scene
- Performance
- Editing
- Cinematography
- Sound

Actors:
Maribel Verdu - Mercedes
Sergi Lopez - Vidal

- Cinematography: camera tilts as stabs Vidal, low angle M, high angle V on knees
- Mercedes new found empowerment, now 'controls' Vidal
- Constructs message: women ignored in patriarchal society, allows M to be 'invisble' to Vidal

- Mise-en-scene: Vidal turns back to Mercedes to inspect torture devices, represents fascists as violent, thinks so little makes him vulnerable
- Constructs message: emphasises underestimation of women in patriarchal society, represents men will always turn to torture in this regime/obsessed with power, blind to actuality of events.

- Performance & Sound: 'she is just a woman' 'invisible'
- Constructs message: Power Balance. undermining of women in patriarchal society, laughter shows 'power' men hold over women, diagetic sound makes it sound more chilling + emphasises the fascist regime try to make women have their place in society. 'invisible' = women quietly powerful, actually hold power over men
- Performance also presents gender of females being protective 'don't you dare touch the girl' -> mother figure to Ofelia, compassionate & caring

(if time, do close-ups on Mercedes, presents her power)

Representation changes throughout film:
- Start: timid/doubts own strength (suffers under same patriarchy as Carmen)
- End: More empowered + proves her strengt
- women all suffer from patriarchy and suffer at the hands of Vidal