What was the performance like in the opening scene the introduction to Vidal?
- Vidal’s stern expressions and narrowing of the eyes
- His controlled emotions (cold and calculating)
- Has his back to Ofelia
What was the performance like in the opening scene (the introduction to Ofelia)?
- The fearful eyes and sombre facial expression of Ofelia
- Laying on the ground (vulnerable)
- Ofelia on the ground and her breathing is heard
What was the performance like in Ofelia’s narration?
- Ofelia’s petrified expression as she hears the creaking in the house
- Carmen embracing Ofelia
What was the performance like in the gruesome murder of the farmers?
- Vidal’s robotic expression as he murders the son with the bottle (slightly twitches his face but does not stop)
- The certainty in Vidal’s face and lack of remorse as he finds out that the farmers were telling the truth (stern, cold expression)
- The son doesn’t make direct eye contact, but he still speaks to Vidal to defend his father
Why is Ofelia’s facial expression sombre and her eyes fearful in the opening sequence?
Her innocence is gone, even though she is a young girl and is assumed to react more frightened in that kind of situation
Why is Ofelia laying on the ground in the opening sequence?
She appears more vulnerable, which heightens the audience’s worry and concern for her.
How is a melancholic ambience created in the opening sequence?
The emotions provoked are fear, anxiety and worry when Ofelia is seen on the ground and her breathing is heard.
Why are Vidal’s stern expressions and narrowing of the eyes shown in his introduction?
It anchors him as unhappy.
Why does Vidal have his back to Ofelia?
- No acknowledgement of her
- No other use of females other than to reproduce.
What does Vidal’s controlled emotions show in the introduction to Vidal scene?
Portrays him as cold and calculating.
What does Ofelia’s petrified expression at the creaking of the house show preceding Ofelia’s story sequence??
- Expressing her fears and anxiety in her current surroundings
- Reinforces the idea that the cold, harsh world of the fascists frighten her.
What does Carmen embracing Ofelia show preceding Ofelia’s story sequence?
- Shows her caring traits as her mother
- The audience need to see a bond so they care about their relationship enough to feel sorrow towards her death and relief to see her in the afterlife at the end of the film
- Likely the same emotions Ofelia experiences towards her mother, so we are able to empathise with the protagonist
In the farmers’ murder scene, what does Vidal’s robotic expression as he kills the son show?
- His face slightly twitches but doesn’t stop (hinting at pleasure derived from inflicting violence)
- Shows his complete disregard for human life
- Implies he has done this many times before, portraying him as violent and inhuman
In the farmers’ murder scene, what does the stern and cold expression of Vidal as he find out they told the truth show?
- On his face was certainty and lack of remorse as he finds out the farmers were telling the truth
- Shows his attitude towards the lower classes as insignificant and disposable
- Makes the audience feel more resentful towards him
Preceding the gruesome murder, why does the son not make direct eye contact but still speaks to Vidal?
- His futile attempt to defend his father which ends up costing his life.
- Shows his fearful comprehension as he figures out that Vidal is disbelieving of them and wants to cause them harm
- Strengthens the injustice of the situation (prejudice towards lower class)
What was the performance like in the first task/hunting the rebels sequence?
- Ofelia’s scared expression as she enters the tree and is afraid of the monster (a bit of trepidation)
- The Captain shows anger as he discovers the fire and the antibiotics that the rebels left behind
Why was Sergi López (Vidal) angry when he saw the antibiotics and the fire left behind during the hunting the rebels scene?
- First time Vidal is losing his power
- He got one over, as he knows they are watching him
- Also he recognises that the rebels are getting help
What was Ivana Baquero’s (as Ofelia) performance like in the toad scene?
- Ofelia’s expression changes from her being afraid of the toad to her smug expression when she realises the stone turned into a bug (her expression unflinching in the face of the toad)
What does Ivana Baquero’s unflinching/smug expression in the face of the toad show about Ofelia?
- Ofelia’s expression changes from her being afraid of the toad to her smug expression when she realises the stone turned into a bug
- Shows her courage and intelligence as she is overpowered by the strength of the toad (and fascism)
