Franquismo and Pan's Labyrinth

As a child, I had been exposed to images from the Pan’s Labyrinth movie, but I had never actually seen it.  Much to my surprise, the film was in Spanish. I lived in Spain a couple of summers ago, and the scenes (and language!!) were such a welcomed surprise. I’ve been studying Spanish language and culture for several years now, and it was great to make the connections between del Toro’s depictions of Franquismo in Spain and actual historical events. 

            After living in Spain, it became clear to me that there is still a strong fear of a Franco-era Spain returning. Like in the film, many have a clear fear of a strong central government taking over again. Personally, my host mother in Spain explained to me that she would always fight to have a free and accepting Spain, one that is free from intolerance and inequality. Even today, someone who exhibits a strong sense of Spanish nationalism (as in brandishing flags, displaying extremely conservative views, etc.) is someone assumed to be a Francoist (i.e. fascist). 

            Specifically, del Toro shows just how harsh and strict Franco-era Spain was. The captain in the film could be interpreted as a Franco-like figure, someone who has total control and does not like to be challenged or defied. He has a strong nationalist view, and he threatens or kills those who choose to defy him. In the film, Ofelia’s mother makes it clear that she was unable to reject the captain’s marriage proposal, especially as she is pregnant with his son (who would have most likely carried on his name and his beliefs). Ofelia, although a child, can see how wrong it is that the captain is controlling her mother, and she often defies his rules. As mentioned in Dr. Hartley’s videos, anyone who chooses to defy the captain’s power chips away at his reputation of being all-powerful, which is why he chooses to rid himself of anyone who disobeys him.

            On the topic of disobedience and choice, I think Ofelia and Mercedes are amazing examples of female disobedience and choice. In Franco-era Spain, women did not have the agency to deny the advances of men or really make any of their own choices. We see Ofelia’s mother trapped by these social expectations, while Ofelia and Mercedes actively defy them. Ofelia, despite being so young, continues to choose to actively defy the captain’s orders, even though he continually punishes her. Mercedes, out of necessity to live, secretly aids the guerilla army fighting the fascist rule. It is clear she does not agree with the captain’s cruel and strict rule. She calls herself weak and a coward to her brother, saying that her staying to work for the captain is a poor move. However, without her help, the soldiers wouldn’t have supplies or an “in” at the captain’s home. She also gathers the strength to fight against the captain at the end, stabbing him and slicing him a few times. (Can we talk about how good the line about him not being the first pig she’s gutted was? WOW.) Overall, del Toro does a great job of depicting both Franco-era Spain and the defiance Spaniards exhibited against the dictator’s rule.