'Pan's Labyrinth' | Unscripted | Guillermo del Toro, Ivana Baquero

Summary

In this insightful interview, Guillermo del Toro and Ivana Baquero discuss the making of *Pan's Labyrinth*, sharing personal stories and the creative process behind the film. Del Toro explains his inspiration for the dark fairy tale elements, referencing classic fairy tales and his love for surreal creatures. Baquero reflects on her challenging yet rewarding experiences as a young actress, including the difficulties of working in tough environments. They discuss their favorite fairy tales, the meaning of the film's creatures, and the impact of cinema on their lives, offering a unique behind-the-scenes look at this haunting masterpiece.

Takeaways

• 😀 The film 'Pan's Labyrinth' is inspired by Guillermo del Toro's love for dark fairy tales, specifically those from the Grimms, which often contain brutal and grim themes like orphans and executions.
• 😀 Guillermo del Toro wanted to create a fairy tale set in fascist Spain (1944) to convey a very dark and emotional journey, with deep elements of fantasy and horror.
• 😀 Del Toro's fantasy creatures were deeply inspired by his love of illustration, fine painting, and surrealism, with designs based on both his childhood imagination and his later sketches.
• 😀 The first fantasy creature, the fawn, was inspired by a vision del Toro had as a child in his grandmother's house, where he imagined a creature emerging from behind the armchair.
• 😀 The design of the Pale Man was influenced by the concept of an old, sagging man, evolving into a surreal form with a manta ray-like face and no features, enhancing the creepiness.
• 😀 Ivana Baquero, who played the young protagonist, Ofelia, found certain scenes challenging, especially one where she crawled through a painful, rocky toad's lair, which caused her to cry due to the physical strain.
• 😀 Despite the difficulties on set, Ivana learned a lot from the experience and appreciated the mentorship of the film's team, especially from del Toro.
• 😀 Del Toro emphasized that young actors, like Ivana, often have an easier time acting because they are more open and connected to their emotions, referencing his own childhood experience of questioning deep topics like the human soul and eternal damnation.
• 😀 Both del Toro and Ivana shared a love for fairy tales, with Ivana mentioning her favorite as 'Peter Pan' for its adventurous nature, while del Toro gravitated towards tales like 'Hans the Hedgehog,' a precursor to 'Beauty and the Beast.'
• 😀 Del Toro and Ivana also expressed a mutual fondness for comics, with Ivana revealing that she read all the fairy tale books del Toro gave her, along with many comics.
• 😀 Ivana explained how she got into acting initially just for fun, and later realized her passion for the profession, even though her friends didn't always fully understand her career, especially when they saw her on big movie posters.

Q & A

What was the main inspiration behind the screenplay for 'Pan's Labyrinth'?

The inspiration for 'Pan's Labyrinth' came from Guillermo del Toro's love of fairy tales, especially the dark and scary elements found in older fairy tales, such as the Grimms' Fairy Tales. Del Toro wanted to create a fairy tale set against the backdrop of fascist Spain in 1944, a dark and brutal time.

How did Ivana Vakerro feel about the creepy and scary elements during the filming of 'Pan's Labyrinth'?

Ivana Vakerro, the actress, didn't feel scared during the filming, as she was supported by the crew and understood what was going on. However, she admitted that the creepy elements did become unsettling when she saw the movie on the big screen.

What is Guillermo del Toro's approach to creating the fantasy creatures in 'Pan's Labyrinth'?

Del Toro's approach to creating the fantasy creatures in the film was influenced by his love of illustration and fine painting. He sought to create the creatures in a surreal and imaginative way, including one inspired by a childhood vision of a creature with tree-like legs.

What was Ivana Vakerro's hardest moment during the filming of 'Pan's Labyrinth'?

Ivana's hardest moment on set was when she had to crawl through the toad's lair, as the rocks in her knees were extremely painful. She also mentioned struggling with the cold and mud during scenes in the mountains, but overall found the experience valuable and educational.

How did Guillermo del Toro perceive working with a young actress like Ivana Vakerro, especially considering her age?

Del Toro believes that young actors are mentally capable of absorbing much more than many adults often assume. He emphasized that children, like Ivana at 11 years old, are capable of understanding deep themes, which is why he never felt concerned about working with her.

What is Ivana Vakerro's favorite fairy tale, and why does she like it?

Ivana's favorite fairy tale is 'Peter Pan,' as it has an active story and teaches lessons about life. She also enjoys the idea of adventure and the characters in the story.

What is Guillermo del Toro's favorite fairy tale, and why does he relate to it?

Guillermo del Toro's favorite fairy tale is 'Hans the Hedgehog,' as it is one of the earliest versions of 'Beauty and the Beast.' He enjoys the theme of a prince hidden in the guise of a beast and relates to the idea of transformation and finding beauty in unexpected places.

If Ivana could have any fantasy creature from 'Pan's Labyrinth' as a pet, which one would it be and why?

Ivana would choose the Faun as a pet because it is wise and could help guide and teach her. She humorously mentioned that the Faun would be too large to fit in a house but could live in the garden.

Which directors and films influenced Guillermo del Toro’s work, and why?

Guillermo del Toro’s two major influences are Alfred Hitchcock and Luis Buñuel. He admires Hitchcock for his repressed Catholic background and his combination of humanity and brutality in storytelling. Buñuel, on the other hand, inspired him with his contrast of tranquil personal life and insane, surreal films.

How did Ivana Vakerro transition into acting, and how does she feel about her career now?

Ivana began acting somewhat casually, participating in an audition for fun and eventually landing her first movie role in a werewolf film. She found acting rewarding, as it allowed her to meet new people and learn a lot on set. She appreciates the career but prefers the comfort of home life over being on set.