Module 3/Film 3 Director Guillermo del Toro Background Reading

Question

Guillermo del Toro is one of Mexico’s most prolific, talented and beloved film directors. Del Toro was born in Guadalajara, Mexico in 1964. He currently lives and works in Hollywood, California with his wife and two children. In addition to directing films, Del Toro has written and produced several films. Some of the Mexican director’s film credits include the following:
Cronos (USA, 1993)
Mimic (USA, 1997)
The Devil’s Backbone (Mexico, 2001)
Blade II (USA, 2002)
Hellboy (USA, 2004)
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (USA, 2008)
The Hobbit. (2014)
The Shape of Water (2017)
Nightmare Alley (2021) Forthcoming
Del Toro is considered a visionary filmmaker recognized the world over. Film critic Caroline Siede writes that one important characteristic in his films is the inclusion of fantastic elements where ghosts, spirits, and monsters often take a leading role in the stories he brings to the big screen (Siede). For example, in Pan’s Labyrinth, as the film’s namesake suggests, one of the main characters is a faun, a mythical creature half human, half goat. Siede also argues that Del Toro also tends “to favor protagonists who are ‘orphans,’ who lose a loved one during the course of the film, and who have to make a big choice in the climax” (Siede). This is the case of Ofelia in Pan’s Labyrinth. In other of his films, protagonists tend to have physical limitations. For example, in The Devil’s Backbone, one of the main characters is missing a leg. In the film, the Shape of Water, the main character is mute.
Guillermo Del Toro’s films are often drama, historical, fantasy and horror films where he often mixes these genres and subgenres. This module’s film, Pan’s Labyrinth is considered a historical fantasy film with the Spanish Civil as the backdrop and a little girl's fantasy world.
Guillermo del Toro has received many recognitions and awards from all over the world. Here’s just a brief list of his accolades:
Nominated for an Oscar, Best Original Screenplay
Nominated for an Oscar, Best Foreign Language Film
Won an Oscar for Best Director and Best Picture for The Shape of Water (2018)
Pan’s Labyrinth tells the story of Ofelia, a little girl and her mother who move to the countryside to live with her step-father, a captain in the Spanish army. The film plot includes two parallel stories. One is the real world with warring factions; the rebels fight against the Spanish army, and the other is Ofelia’s fantasy world to where she escapes and is joined by fairies and a faun to complete three tasks to join her dead father’s underworld.
The Spanish Civil War took place between 1936 and 1939, although fighting continued in some areas years after the civil war ended. The film’s storyline takes place in 1944. The Spanish Civil war had two warring factions. On one side, the Nationalists or Falangists led by Francsico Franco were in power. The Nationalists front included support from Roman Catholics, important elements of the military, most landowners, and businessmen. On the other side were the Republicans or Popular Front. The Republicans had been elected by the people in 1936 but mostly defeated by the Nationalists by 1939. Members of the Republicans included Urban workers, agricultural laborers, university students and an educated middle class. In Pan’s Labyrinth, Ofelia’s father, the captain is part of the Nationalist (the government in power) who continues to fight the remaining factions of the Republican or Popular Front fighters. Francisco Franco from the Nationalist Front was the official leader of Spain. He governed Spain from 1936-1975. Approximately 500,000 Spaniards were killed by the armed conflict between 1936-1939.

When did the Spanish Civil War take place?
Group of answer choices

1936 to 1939

1939 to 1945

1936 to 1975

Flag question: Question 2
Question 2 1 pts
What year does the film Pan’s Labyrinth take place?
Group of answer choices

1936

1939

1944

1945

Flag question: Question 3
Question 3 1 pts
After the Spanish Civil War ended, the losing side (Republicans) continue to fight the dictatorship.
Group of answer choices

True

False

Flag question: Question 4
Question 4 1 pts
In the film, the Nationalists (Falange party) has set up a military post to fight off the remaining Republican (Popular Front party loyalists).
Group of answer choices

True

False

Flag question: Question 5
Question 5 1 pts
Check the film Guillermo del Toro did NOT directed.
Group of answer choices

Pan’s Labyrinth.

The Shape of Water.

The Devil’s Backbone.

Cronos

Innocent Voices.

Flag question: Question 6
Question 6 1 pts
Guillermo del Toro often includes fantastic elements in his films where ghosts, spirits, and monsters take a leading role in his movies.
Group of answer choices

True

False

Flag question: Question 7
Question 7 3 pts
Which of the following genres or subgenres Guillermo del Toro prefers for his movies. Select all that apply.
Group of answer choices

Fantasy

Horror

Historical Drama

Romantic Comedies

Answer 1

Here are the answers to the questions based on the provided background reading about Guillermo del Toro and his film Pan’s Labyrinth:

1. When did the Spanish Civil War take place?

   • Answer: 1936 to 1939

2. What year does the film Pan’s Labyrinth take place?

   • Answer: 1944

3. After the Spanish Civil War ended, the losing side (Republicans) continue to fight the dictatorship.

   • Answer: True

4. In the film, the Nationalists (Falange party) has set up a military post to fight off the remaining Republican (Popular Front party loyalists).

   • Answer: True

5. Check the film Guillermo del Toro did NOT direct.

   • Answer: Innocent Voices.

6. Guillermo del Toro often includes fantastic elements in his films where ghosts, spirits, and monsters take a leading role in his movies.

   • Answer: True

7. Which of the following genres or subgenres does Guillermo del Toro prefer for his movies. Select all that apply.

   • Answer: Fantasy, Horror, Historical Drama

Feel free to ask if you need further clarification or assistance!