TBernard FILM Site

SCENE: 1:46:41-1:52:00,

The scene I’ve chosen is at the 1:46:41-1:52:00, the final 6 minutes of the film. This is also where Ofelia’s fantasy world collides with the brutal reality that she’s in. The historical context of this film is 1944 post Spanish civil war era, where normal men and women in this brutal reality are split into two factions and forced into a world of violence and ruthlessness just so they could survive and lead a better life. This is portrayed in this scene as Vidal, a man changed by war, murdered Ofelia without batting an eye. Then went on to be killed by those who he mistreated. Death is constantly at the centre of this film, and although it is portrayed to be violent and tragic in the mortal world, It is seen as a resurrection or a new beginning in the afterlife as Ofelia appears in a bright, golden throne room wearing a beautiful dress. It’s also ironic that while the mortal world mourned for Ofelia’s tragic death, she went on to reign in her father’s kingdom to prosperity for hundreds of years. This scene conveys the message that instead of pitying those that are lost in war, we should pity those that are left behind.

The social context of the film is that children are the victims in the violent world of men. In this scene, Ofelia died protecting her baby brother, who is innocent and pure, which shows Ofelia’s moral righteousness. Vidal on the other hand, embodies the worst of human nature, taking someone else’s son as their own and murdering an innocent girl in cold blood. However, the film shows that there were still people who stood up for the innocent despite the horrific setting as the group of people with Mercedes saved the baby from having to be brought up by Vidal. The very final shot of the film where a flower was slowly blooming also symbolises life and hope in a time of war. This means that Ofelia’s sacrifice, despite only remembered by the few who loved her, laid a foundation to others who are inherently good like her.

    Guillermo Del Toro, as an auteur, employed his artistry and techniques that convey the film’s messages in the most effective and visually interesting ways. For the ending scene, the colour palette in the mortal world is a highly desaturated dark blue, which signifies the dark reality. Meanwhile, Ofelia’s blood is bright, vibrant red, which emphasizes the act of violence Vidal committed and the noble, innocent blood Ofelia shed. In contrast to the mortal world, the afterlife Ofelia went to has a warm, golden colour palette that gives off a feeling of grandiose and prosperity. This was the first time the fantasy world was shown to be not just as dangerous as the mortal world, which makes this scene feel surreal and dreamlike, just like how humans often interpret the spiritual world. The ending shot of the flower also wildly contrasts the opening shot of Ofelia bleeding out on the floor, which ties into the message that death is only the beginning of a new life.