PAN’S LABYRINTH
Presenting the UK premiere of Guillermo Del Toro’s feast of a film at Frightfest was made even more special by the presence of the man himself and what a reception he and the film got!
What a film. Blending a grim, real-world historical setting (post–Civil War Spain under fascist rule) with a mythical underworld, Del Toro creates a spellbinding grown-up fairy tale grounded in emotional truth. The creature designs are incredible. This is a film where every frame feels like art.
It is not just a dark fantasy - it is a journey about choosing humanity in the face of horror and brutality. An empowering experience I found hard to shake off. When I close my eyes I can still see ‘The Pale Man’ sitting at the head of the banquet table with his eyes on a plate in front of him!
I would urge those who haven’t seen it to ignore the time that has passed since it was made. It’s a timeless masterpiece.
Greg Day