4. Discuss some of the ways in which mise-en-scène and editing are used in your chosen film to present a key issue. Refer in detail to specific sequences. [20 marks] (Pan’s Labyrinth)

During the Paleman scene of del Toro’s ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’, mise en scene is used to create meaning, and present key issues. For example, the close up of the pile of shoes. One way that an audience member can interpret this, is that they represent the shows of the incorrect princess’s, and that this mise en scene is used to evoke fear in audience, as it makes you worry that Ofelia will meet the same fate. Another way that the mise en scene of the shoes can be interpreted, is that they are a symbol of world war 2, and the holocaust; that they link to the pile of clothes in the concentration camps. This would link into more mise en scene during this sequence, the horrific images on the ceiling contextually link to Goya’s painting of Saturn eating his son. These two pieces of context link because Goya ate his son due to fear of him growing up and overpowering him, and the Nazi’s targeted children. These pieces of mise en scene and their contextual links evoke fear and panic in the audience for Ofelia. The editing is also used to do this. Such as, the parallel action of Ofelia and the timer creates fear and tension, as the time pressure makes the audience worry that Ofelia will be stuck with the dangerous Paleman. The action reaction shots of her and the Paleman when Ofelia is running away also causes tension, but also links into the representation of age. This is because Ofelia could easily overpower the Paleman, especially since she now has the sharp dagger. However, she chooses not to, therefore showing how children are less violent than some of the dangers adults like Vidal, possibly therefore also showing that children are the hope for the future after the effects of the Spanish Civil War, which the film was set shortly after.

Another example of meaningful mise en scene is the imagery of Ofelia favouring the left, such as the left lock and her left hand. For example, in the Paleman’s bool, Ofelia is shown using her left hand to cover up a lock. This symbolises her association with left wing politics rather than right wing, which Vidal associates himself with by favouring his right hand. When it comes to choosing a lock, despite the middle lock being shown in the book and the fairies indicating to the middle lock, Ofelia chooses the left lock. This helps to reinforce her association with left wing politics through symbolism, as well as adding to the theme of disobedience, as it was her disobedience that allowed her to succeed at the task, as she found the dagger. This is continued latter, when her refusal to cut her baby brother makes her succeed. This theme of disobedience links into the contextual exploration of fascism, as it symbolises how Ofelia will disobey against fascism. This would make sense as earlier in the film, the doctor told Vidal that obeying is something only people like him do.

Mise en Scene is also used in the Paleman sequence to explore the genre of bildungsroman. In the Paleman book, the mise en scene links to this genre as the Paleman’s arms form the fallopian tube shape, which is a motif and symbol throughout the movie, such as the mise en scene of the tree. The reminder of this genre during this scene is important, as it reminds the audience that Ofelia is growing up, and that she is still currently a child. This shows her strength as a child as she is able to escape from the Paleman, as well as reminding us of how the film is exploring how the war effects children which is a theme that del Toro often explores in his films, such as in ‘The Devils Backbone’.