(Slide 7)
“How does Del Toro show generic conventions and show unconventional themes in Pan’s Labyrinth story?”
Pan’s Labyrinth follows a lot of conventional themes from the fantasy genre. For example it follows the typical plot like good vs evil, and pursues a certain questline. We can see this play out in Pan’s Labyrinth as Ofelia is set three tasks she must fulfill. The characters also follow a lot of conventional characterisation, including the presence of mythical creatures contrasting with real people. Another example of this is Ofelia being kind and caring, and Vidale being cold and ruthless so we see this contrast between good and evil play out. Also the world reflects this generic convention because at the end of the movie after Ofelia’s death, she is then brought to a new fantasy like world so we see reality and fantasy as two opposing realms which is very much in keeping with this genre. Pan’s Labyrinth also shows some unconventional themes. In most fantasy like films the protagonist always beats the antagonist. This however is not the case in Pan’s Labyrinth. Because both the antagonist and protagonist die at the end of the film which is a change from the conventional genre.