The realm of multiple dualities.

Rating: 9/10 (8 October 2014)

I've been watching films that have received the Academy-Awards since 2000 focusing mainly on the films that receive Best Picture, Direction and Cinematography. When I came to the year 2007 - knowing that Pan's Labyrinth won 3 Oscars including Best Cinematography - I did dismiss it at first being a fantasy story, which isn't quite my interest. But then I came around to watching it wanting to focus mostly on the visuals and coloring - which were amazing - but then the story unfolded and I then realized that the film wasn't only a visual masterpiece but also a realm of multiple dualities. One might question why I say so, but to a explain this I would have to name a few scenes which might act as spoilers, so be warned. At first, we see the dualities in the visuals. Yes this might be seen in many films, but the way the color tones are used in the progression of the film is amazing. At first we are introduced to our two characters; the mother and her daughter and the scene is shot with warm, bright colors showing us the beautiful side of the story, but as we continue towards the film the colors change to more cooler tones with lots of contrast; indicating that the plot is getting more darker and darker as we go. But then towards the end as the girl is killed and seemingly returns to her father in the 'fantasy world' we are taken back to the warmer tones which signifies happiness and relief from the otherwise cold, harsh and dark 'real world'. The second duality we see is between the two worlds. The 'real' and 'fantasy', the 'material' and the 'magical'. The plot tears us apart as what to believe in and leaves us with multiple questions. Which world is real? Does magic exist? Did her mother know through out? Was the chalk really used to create doors? To keep up with this duality the movie never answers our questions and the only way we're connected between the two worlds is through the girl who doesn't satisfy as the proof to the co-existence of these worlds; one because her age allows her to believe in fantasy and magic; two because her mind is full of fairy tales from the books she reads. The third duality is seen from the conflict between the captain (and his people) and the rebels. Here we see the duality in ideologies and also the duality in life style. The captain lives in a rich countryside house, while the rebels live on the cold mountains. The captain who at first is stronger than the rebels becomes the weak at the end. We see the duality of Mercedes; from her life were she works for the Captain but her true allegiance is with the rebels, her heart which is warm to Ofelia and her brother but then turns out to be cold when she slices the mouth of the captain. We also see the duality of fear and courage from the Doctor and Mercedes again; at first afraid of the captain but later tired of his actions decide to stand up for their belief and defy him. Last but not the least we see the duality between love and dominance; love seen through Ofelia and her mother and dominance through the Captain and his son.