Pan's Labyrinth
Pan's Labyrinth is a 2006 Mexican-Spanish dark fantasy drama film written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. This is a story based on the life of Ofelia. Set in 1944, it tells the story of a young girl who finds hope within becoming the lost princess of the underworld. By exploring an old maze, she stumbles upon a friendly faun who tells her fate. The story consists of Ofelia completing tasks to prove her worth in becoming the princess while in the real world, the war rumbles. DUN DUN DUN.....
Guillermo del Toro
What is their background?
Guillermo del Toro was born October 9, 1964 in Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico. Raised by his Catholic grandmother, del Toro developed an interest in filmmaking in his early teens. Later, he learned about makeup and effects from the legendary Dick Smith and worked on making his own short films. At the age of 21, del Toro executive produced his first feature, Dona Herlinda and Her Son in 1986. Del Toro spent almost 10 years as a makeup supervisor, and formed his own company, Necropia in the early 1980s. He also produced and directed Mexican television programs at this time, and taught film.
What is distinctive about their approach?
In my opinion, their work is innovative because his approach is very outside of the box. He highlights fantasy in his films that can relate to any audience with a creative mind. His creative mind allows him to create very detailed films based on his fantasy and thoughts.
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What kind of projects are they drawn to?
Guillermo del Toro is most commonly known to create horror and fantasy films with emotional and thematic complexity.
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What do you think is the context of their work?
His ideas come form his childhood and his creative mind. Up to the age of 11, Toro explains how he experienced lucid dreaming, "when you dream you are awake. So i literally saw monsters". This grew GDTs love towards monsters and influenced him to create horror and fantasy-like films.
What is your reaction to their work?
I like his work as it is very original and not commonly created. His work is very diferent and his ideas are nothing like any other film-maker. I respect how he has gone against the grain and created what he enjoys - not what is easy and a money grab.
How can you take influences from their work and style?
I can take inspiration from his work by looking outside the box and thinking like-wise into his creative mind. Creating the strangest thought from what is inside of my head, if done right, will make the best and most effective monster or senario for a film.
Can you compare them to other artists?
I can see connections with Toro and M. Night Shyamalan. In the film "The Village", the creature that was visualised by Shyamalan is similar to Toro's as it is very random, fantasy-influenced, and looks like its been taken from the depth of the writers mind.
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