The Female Characters Of The Film, By Pan s Labyrinth

Patriarchy is described as a general structure where men hold the position of power over women. This could include being the head of the household, ‘upper level’ in the workplace, or leader in society. Cinema serves this patriarchal institution by constantly constructing ideological images of women. Since the beginning, women in film are â€Å"made to conform to the ideal image that the man has of them† (Smelik, 496). Essentially, Hollywood cinema is structured for the male audience, and therefore majority of films are classified as patriarchal. A lot has to do with how female characters are portrayed and if there is a male gaze in the film. Although Pan’s Labyrinth is constructed through the classic narrative mode, the film has a female lead and focuses on women. Del Toro demonstrates the female characters overcoming obstacles and stigmas. Ofelia and Mercedes are the two strong female protagonists who are good-natured and act to what they think is right, d ifferent from the passive or aggressive protagonists found in traditional fairytales. So, how do these two women subvert and problematize the patriarchal stereotype? In the paper, I will analyze the mise-en-scene of the two different worlds and the inclusion of the male gaze to establish how these women subvert and problematize the patriarchal stereotype. To start off, there are two worlds depicted within the film; a hostile fascist government in Spain and an enchanted fantasy world. In the real world, the form is strictlyShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Pan s Labyrinth By Guillermo Del Toro Essay1846 Words   |  8 PagesPan’s Labyrinth set in 1940s deals with the end of the Spanish civil war and Franco’s fascist Spain. It also about escaping into the world of magic and imagination to avoid the cruel realities of the beginning of a fascist regime. On another level it focuses on gender equality and empowerment for females in a setting of male controlled society. The film i s written by a male writer Guillermo del Toro who portrays power and strength possessed by male characters which at the end of the film, the rolesRead MoreA Remarkable Film Composed And Directed By The Accomplished1498 Words   |  6 PagesA remarkable film composed and directed by the accomplished Guillermo Del Toro; Laberinto del Fauno, upholds an impressive reputation, winning many Academy and Goya Awards such as; Best Cinematography, Best Special Effects and Best Editing! Significantly and unlike numerous other children s’ fables, LDF â€Å"Presents a much more ominous take on the fairy tale† (Fairy tale films, section 3, Pg.60). This film tells a tale that is ironically and most definitely not suitable for children, similar to the