Pan's Labyrinth (Pale Man Scene)-cinematography and mise-en-scene analysis

Pale Man Scene

Begins-53:50

Ends-59:54

There are many ways the cinematography and mise-en-scene creates meaning throughout all of Pan’s Labyrinth however it is most noticeable in specific scenes of the film one of which is the ‘pale man’ scene. The scene begins with a dolly shot as the camera reverses backwards creating a false sense of security as we see the whole room showing no danger which is later not the case, the dolly shot shows the audience a long old hallway with stone pillars creating a sense of mystery through the use of location, also in this hallway the walls are lit with a 'bloody red' colour illuminating of the wall which links with danger creating a sense and meaning of anxiety and fear for the audience.

Next we follow Ofelia as she enter a huge room lit red with rotting stone pillars and a table full of delicious foods which mirrors the earlier dinner seen but putting it in the realm of fantasy rather than reality as well as placing the 'pale man' at the head of the table in the place of Captain Vidal showing them as a connected evil as well as showing fascism as that evil as it is a constant theme throughout the film as a whole and maintains a constant link to Captain Vidal and in turn evil as Vidal is a fascist leader, this part of the scene uses setting, props and makeup to emphasis this meaning of fantasy and evil. 

As Ofelia observes the room its allows for multiple uses of mise-en-scene to be utilised to create meaning such as the 'pale man' himself. He is a great use of mise-en-scene and does a perfect job creating a meaning of evil, fear and temptation through his haunting make-up and costume, through the use of his diegetic sound as he creates a intimidating tone as he awakes and chases Ofelia. As does the non-diegetic sound throughout this whole scene using a typical horror convection of the non-diegetic horror scores. Also the shots of the paintings of the 'pale man' killing the children creates more fear as well as the shots of the children's shoes as it is a reference to Auschwitz and clothes left behind there, comparing the 'pale man' and his mirror in reality Captain Vidal to those such as Hitler through the use of props and mise-en-scene.

The scene follows a consistent use of close up shots to allow and more real and closer experience with the film and the characters in it, with is furthered by the performance of the actors throughout the whole film. As Ofelia goes to leave the room the food (prop) is used to create the feeling of temptation as she is wanting the food even though she was repeatedly told to not do it and that it would have terrible consequences, this also emphasises the theme of fantasy and reality as the resistance and common people are tempted by the food they aren't allowed, after she eats the grapes the 'pale man' comes to life and begins a chase.

The tracking shot during the chase creating a spike in fear and anxiety in the audience as we feel we are running with them and making it seem more realistic even though it still fantasy, also the extreme close up shots of the timer running out reinforces this feeling in the audience of time running out which is a constant theme throughout the film as a whole with constant references to it such as the timer and Vidal's watch, the combination of close ups shots and shot reverse shot are used on the 'pale man' and Ofelia during the chase to enhance the feeling of fear and the chase continues as well as building further tension. During the back end of the chase there is a constant use of cuts as it switchs from Ofelia to the 'pale man' which is accompanied with the increasing pace and volume of the non-diegetic sound building even more tension as we are unsure on whether Ofelia is going to make it out of there or not. There is also a constant amount of extreme close up shots at the end of the scene of Ofelia and the 'pale man' feet as they are running which furthers the tension as we are unsure whether this will show Ofelia trip or fall due to constant shots.

Through this scene the cinematography and mise-en-scene is used perfectly through the props, setting, costume, makeup and a wide variety of shots which allows meaning to be create whether its the meaning of tension and fear for Ofelia or of the 'pale man'.