Set in the violent world of rural Spain in the post-Spanish Civil War era, Guillermo del Toro’s beautifully executed “Pan’s Labyrinth” tells the story–in English subtitles–of a little girl’s magical fairy tale world.
Terry recently chatted with del Toro (“Hellboy,” “The Devil’s Backbone”) about his haunting film, which has received its share of accolades, including a best feature nomination for the 2007 Independent Spirit Awards.
I really thought the movie was based on an actual fairy tale. I was shocked to find that it wasn’t–that you actually wrote the story.
This movie has a strange feel. It feels like it’s a really old ancient tale that has been passed from generation to generation.
Critics have lauded you not only for such an original story, but for the cinematography of the film. It really looks inviting on the big screen.
[Laughs] Some of my most vivid memories of movies as a child come from monster movies that have no plot, but the images were so powerful. I believe in something I like to call “eye protein” as opposed to “eye candy.” When you are taking a willing stab to tell a story with visuals, you are creating “eye protein,” not “eye candy.”The interesting thing about most fairy tales that we heard as children is that they originally were created to be dark and violent.
There were many types of fairy tales. There were fairy tales that were pro-establishment, where the children were taught to obey their parents–or else. There are other fairy tales that were part of oral tradition. They were told by itinerant cobblers and tailors. [Laughs] That’s why so many cobblers and tailors are so prevalent in fairy tales. The fairy tales, at that time, were about things that they could relate to. There was a lot of famine and war. The stories were very violent and lurid to keep the attention of the adults as well as the kids. I wanted to regain some of that storytelling and make a fairy tale for grownups.
It is an adult movie–it’s R-rated. Did the film receive the equivalent of an R rating outside of the United States? Could kids in Mexico or Spain, conceivably, see “Pan’s Labyrinth”?
That’s a great question and it depends on the country. Many countries give ratings but they are meant to be informative–they are not enforceable. In Spain, for example, it received a 15 years and older [rating]. In Mexico, it received a “restrictive” 13 years [rating]. I think that’s pretty accurate. If I were the head of the [Motion Picture Association of America], I would have given this movie a PG-13 in spite of the graphic violence. Would I send a 7-year-old or an 8-year-old? Probably not. I think that borders on irresponsibility. But I truly believe someone who is 13 could probably handle this movie.
There’s been talk about a possible nomination for “Pan’s Labyrinth” in the best-foreign-film category for the Academy Awards. It’s already been nominated as a best film for the Independent Spirit Awards.
I actually like it better to be nominated as best film than as best foreign film. They are saying, essentially, that there is no distinction. When we got accepted at the Cannes Film Festival, I had dinner with [filmmaker] David Cronenberg. He told me, “The prize is the nomination–most of the time the genre movies don’t even get that much attention.” So I’m happier to lose in the best-film category than to win in the best-foreign-film category because I feel that one is more ample than the other.
———-
More Top Picks Best Fidget Toys For Adhd