Pan's Labyrinth Film Analysis

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Exploring Genre Hybridity in Pan’s Labyrinth

Hybrid genre is a specific area of genre in which conventions and themes are taken from two or more separate genres and combines them together in an attempt to create something more engaging and less linear than strictly following a single genre. (Thomas Larson, 2012) says regarding hybrid genre and its narrative “Hybrid narratives are a bit of a misnomer: we create a narrative and then hybridize it with something that counters or is unlike that narrative. The result is often a piece that fascinates us because of how the writer moves between conflicting elements.” Though he writes more specifically about books rather than films what he says still remains accurate in that the draw of the hybrid genre …show more content…
Though Propp’s analysis of folklore is largely accurate he at the same time overlooks any kind of social context or subjective viewpoints. Capitán Vidal is undeniably ‘the villain’ in the film, appearing as the perfect example of a man without a conscience as he kills two seemingly innocent Spanish farmers one moment before returning to his almost picturesque life in his large house, with his pretty wife and boisterous and arrogant dinner parties. Throughout the film as Vidal’s actions become uglier and more ‘evil’ as does his appearance, his neat and refined look turning grotesque and dirtied through Mercedes’ eventual vengeance, a convention seen often in fantasy and fairytale (such as Jabba the Hutt in 1977, Star Wars Episode IV and The Wicked Witch from 1939, The Wizard of Oz) in which the characters appearance matches their personality. At the same time Vidal fits the character conventions that can be seen in war films and historical dramas also due to his cold, calculated and sadistic personality as well as unwavering belief in his on personal ideals regardless of the atrocities he has to commit because of them. Vidal’s character contains similarities to that of other war film villains (albeit many based on real figures) such as Amon Goeth from the 1993 film …show more content…
In the case of this film it’s necessary to think of the term “the princess” in a more open fashion and understanding that this sphere simply denotes the reward that the hero or victim works towards throughout their quest, be it intentionally or not. If the fantasy world that Ofelia finds herself in were to be true then it could be argued that Ofelia’s princess would be the return to her true home, the reinstatement of her royal title and the rights to the kingdom she allegedly held claim to. If this fantasy realm were not to be believed and the more likely explanation was to be considered it would be clear that the princess for Ofelia is instead somewhere in which she would be listened to, or could make a difference regardless of her age and gender and in turn protect her both, her unborn brother and to put a stop to the violence and injustice that seems to go on around
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