Pan's Labyrinth...

"...unfolds through the eyes of Ofelia, a young girl uprooted to a remote military outpost commanded by her new stepfather. Powerless and lonely in a place of great danger, Ofelia lives out her own dark fable as she confronts monsters both otherworldly and human after she discovers a neglected labyrinth behind the family home. There she meets Pan, a fantastical creature who challenges her with three tasks which he claims will reveal her true identity." (from the DVD cover).

"Pan’s Labyrinth takes place in a dual setting: Spain in May and June, 1944, during the turbulent period shortly after the Spanish Civil War, and a fantasy world experienced by a Spanish girl, Ofelia, who is given three tasks by a mysterious faun. In the “real world,” Ofelia’s stepfather, the Falangist Captain Vidal, viciously hunts the Spanish Maquis, guerrillas who continue fighting the Franco regime in the region, while her pregnant mother grows increasingly ill. The “fantasy world” is one that Ofelia enters through an overgrown labyrinth garden, where she meets all manner of strange and magical creatures who become central to her story. The film employs make-up, puppetry, and CGI effects to create its creatures." ( from http://darkaeon.wordpress.com/2008/06/22/pans-labyrinth/).

I wasn't quite sure if I really wanted to add this film to this blog, as I stated in my first post, I would put up stuff I like and comment about it. However, after having this experience settled inside of me, I can say after all this is indeed a great film. The way how the director let the girl jump between those two worlds, e.g. how he illustrated both world is phenomenal. The harsh and brutal reality of the facist period in Spain, the violence and sadism executed by Ofelia's stepfather is a world that Ofelia, and probably everyone else in that respect would like to escape. So why not replacing reality with a fantasy world where oneself is reigning a kingdom with ethics, wisdom and goodness, rather than terror and control and exploitation of its citizens.

Why I hesitated to put this film up on here, was that I watched this film, when I already was in a depressed state and didnt know what this film would be about. It's shocking and violent scenes really upset me, but it wouldnt do the film any justice if I wrote "crappy film" just out of my emotional state that time.

Give this film a shot, but preferably when you're in a chipper mood. ;-)
And beware, as there is not really a happy ending to it. This film is all about altruism, according to my partner