The Atrium

My favorite movie of 2006, Pan's Labyrinth, is out on DVD! This film is a grown up fairy tale of sorts. Along with the escapism of the more fantastical portions of the movie is the very grounding terror of violence and oppression. Set in fascist Spain in 1944, this is the story of a young girl, Ofelia. Ofelia's father is dead, and she and her unwell pregnant mother are sent to live with her sadistic stepfather, a captain of the Spanish Army.

One night, Ofelia meets a faun in the center of the labyrinth near her new home. The faun spins her a extraordinary tale. He tells her that she is actually a princess and that her true father, a king, is awaiting her return. The catch is that she has to accomplish three tasks to prove that she is, indeed, the princess. If she fails, she is destined to be a mere mortal.

I'm not going to pretend that this film isn't violent. It is. For me, the horror is worth it. The film took me on a journey I was helpless to resist. The cinematography is amazing, and the sounds are great. From the creaking of the Faun's walk, to the fluttering of the fairies, my ears were delighted. If you have the opportunity to watch this with surround sound, take it.

Oh, and for you art history nerds out there, my friend pointed out the similarity between Goya's gory painting, Saturn Devouring his Son, and the very terrifying scene with the Pale Man. Also, be sure to check out some of Guillermo Del Toro's other films, including the excellent The Devil's Backbone.