El laberinto del fauno (Pan's Labyrinth). 2006. Spain/Mexico. Written and directed by Guillermo del Toro. With Ivana Baquero, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Doug Jones. In Spanish; English subtitles. 35mm. 120 min.
In the tradition of the Japanese cult classic Hausu and the Czech vampire movie Valerie and Her Week of Wonders, Pan’s Labyrinth reveals an uncanny understanding of the horror and whimsy of being a young girl. Its world is populated by sick mothers and evil stepfathers, and its protagonist, 10-year-old Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), is at the center of it all; the film privileges Ofelia’s point of view, bringing the audience on her journey through an intricate, mystical underworld. But beyond the magic, this is the story of a girl coping with grief, and it is no stretch to suggest that the Herculean tasks Ofelia performs are metaphors for the struggle to understand and truly know one’s mother. It’s no wonder that Pan’s Labyrinth is one of Del Toro’s most beloved films.