More Pan's Labyrinth

Last of setting notes:

The Woodlands/Forest area:

• Both physical and fantastical. It is where the rebels have their stronghold and also where Ofelia must complete her tasks: away from the Mill, whether underground (Pale Man, Greedy Frog in fig tree) or otherwise (in the Labyrinth). It's wild and untamed beauty is like the nature of the imagination. Ofelia learns to live with it, not fight against it. Instead she rejects the "cruel place" that is reality. The seamless side sweep transitions between trees and action links both worlds through nature. We sympathise with the rebels as a part of Ofelia's escape.
  
• Furthermore, with Mercedes as simply an adult version of Ofelia, the forest is an escape . It is where we first see "a fairy" and where we finally see our protagonist fall to the ground and "feel cold, pain" and hope for the immortality she has gained. We associate woodlands with fairies and the imagination. Many of the most well-known fairytales take place in the wilderness. Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel etc.
• Rebellion. Wandering off the beaten track, in exposition she disobeys her mother and walks off the path. Ofelia is straying towards the mystical and magical.
• Traditionally associated with fairytales. It is a journey. Usually the woods in fairytales are evil and we are advised not to enter. However, both Ofelia and director del Toro rebel from this given view. They "have disobeyed" the given rules to create their own meaning, and that we must trust our own judgement and choices rather than simply "obeying, just for the sake of obeying". Our "id" is talking, pushing against our expectations. It appeals to our desire to break taboo, as it is both dangerous and seductive. What we really want lies in there.
• Techniques: wide camera angles (freedom within forest, contrasts with tight shots in Mill), symmetrical composition of shots (rebels centre in shot, gives them a heroic feel. Especially as it's a low angle shot). Colours of rebels, Ofelia and indeed the forest are greens and browns, healthy colours that are natural and belong there. The blue of Vidal's uniform does not. Goes back to our roots, rebellious and undeveloped selves. Rebels reside in light and dawn, Vidal exists in a dark world of little light low key or otherwise. His eyes are almost always obscured in shadow. We can't see his soul, his actions therefore are far more heartless and we wonder if there is any depth to this character or if he is simply like a children's story: just bad.

Quotes from outside text about setting:
"Ofelia's experiences in the fantasy world further her act of resistence" - Mason
"We are all children walking through our own fable" - Guillermo del Toro