Cinecity Top 10 Film Poll – 2006 – Pans Labyrinth

With the festival looming, CINECITY has announced it build up campaign, and what kind of movie fan Brightonian would I be if I didn’t get involved. But what is it all about? Read on…

CineCity 2012, Brighton Film Festival is approaching, and from 15th November to 2nd December the City will be taken over by films fans attending events in 10 venues including the ever brilliant Duke of York’s Picturehouse. This yearn is a special one as it is the 10th edition. To help with the build up, the boffins behind the festival have asked us fans to come up with our TOP 10 FILMS OF THE LAST 10 YEARS. I have decided to run a series of 10 posts with a feature on my favorite film from the chosen year.

But what would you choose? Why not get involved yourself. All you have to do is tweet, facebook message, or blog your top 10 films of the last 10 years and include the hashtag

The top films will be compiled and the results will be announced during the festival, but do not panic I will report back here to announce the winners to those of your overseas.

But remember to see your fave, get involved!!

Pans Labyrinth (2006)

Pans Labyrinth from award-winning director Guillermo Del Toro delivers a richly textured and unique Gothic fairy tale set against the oppression of Franco’s Spain. Combining moral and political themes much like his 2001 film The Devils Backbone with gripping creativity and style of Hellboy and Blade 2, Pans Labyrinth is a timeless tale of good versus evil, bravery versus sacrifice, and love versus loss.

The story of Pans Labyrinth unfolds through the eyes of Ofelia, a dreamy little girl who is uprooted to a rural landscape by her new Military leader step-father. Lonely and powerless in a place that is full of unfathomable cruelty, Ofelia lives in her own little world where she battles monsters of both the underworld and humanity. Ivana Baquero plays Ofelia and commands the screen with maturity that is way beyond her years. She is innocent and vulnerable yet has great strength within her.

Left to her own devices in the grounds of the military outpost, Ofelia stumbles upon a labyrinth where she meets Faun, a mysterious horned creature with a message for the little girl – Ofelia is a Princess who has become lost and forgotten her true home. To get back she must complete three dangerous tasks. First she must face a large ravenous toad. Secondly, she must steal a magical dagger from the Pale Man. Lastly she must use said dagger in accordance to Faun’s instructions.

The film works in its masterful interweaving of the real world and imaginary. Rather than try to juxtapose a beautiful fantasy with a terrifying reality, Del Toro chooses to parallel a terrifying reality with an equally terrifying fantasy. Ofelia’s wonderland is dark and scary, which is in perfect tune with the ugliness of the real world she faces.

The story is almost biblical in its telling. We hear of the rose that grants eternal life, which remains unsought because man are afraid of its thorny stem. We see redemption through the spilling of innocent blood, which can be compared to the way Christ gave his life on the cross for ours. We also see the power of a child’s faith in a cruel and harsh world.

I have read somewhere that the financial backers decided to bail on this project mid way through production and that Del Toro gave up his fee in order to keep the film moving. I am not sure if this is correct, but this dedication is apparent throughout and Del Toro’s love for it is plain for all to see. From the high quality production values to the stunning cinematography.

Pans Labyrinth is not a film for everyone. There are moments of extreme violence that may turn off some squeamish viewers. But for those brave enough to ride this dark and mysterious ship will be rewarded by fantastical beauty and aesthetics. A Fairy tale told as they are meant to be, before modern society turned them into children’s cartoons.

Our previous instalments can be found here -

2002 - Talk to Her

2003 – Mystic River

2004 – Sideways

2005 – Walk The Line

CINECITY BRIGHTON FILM FESTIVAL WILL RUN FROM 15TH NOVEMBER TO 2ND DECEMBER 2012 FOR MORE INFO VISIT THEHOMEPAGE HERE