How Guillermo del Toro Deals With Trauma
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FULL SPOILERS FOR THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE AND PAN'S LABYRINTH
In this video essay we'll examine Guillermo Del Toro's masterpieces 'The Devil's Backbone' (2001) and 'Pan's Labyrinth' (2005). Del Toro is planning to make these films into a trilogy about engaging with the repressed trauma that is the Spanish Civil War. I will point out how he uses the fantastical to say something profound about the historical, and how archetypal symbolism can bring knowledge of the human experience into our own lives...
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LITERATURE USED:
- integr8-sciencethesacred.blogs... - (includes Donald Kalsched's quote) by Julian Walker.
- Spanish History in the Fairy Country: Dealing with Social
Trauma in Pan’s Labyrinth. Álvaro Fernández. 2013.
- 2017 Maps of Meaning 9: Patterns of Symbolic Representation. Prof. Jordan Peterson Lecture ( • 2017 Maps of Meaning 0... )
- With Spain in our Hearts: The Political Fantastic of Guillermo Del Toro’s Laberinto del fauno (2006) and El espinazo del diablo (2001)
Christopher Hartney
- "Nobody's Children": Gothic Representation and Traumatic History in "The Devil'sBackbone". Ellen Brinks. 2004
- Ghosts of the Past and Present: Hauntology and the Spanish Civil War in Guillermo delToro's "The Devil's Backbone". Anne E. Hardcastle. 2005.
- vigilantcitizen.com/moviesand...
FILMS USED:
- The Devil's Backbone (2001)
- Pan's Labyrinth (2005)
- The Spanish Earth (1937), dir. Joris Ivens.
- Prelude to War (1942), dirs. Frank Capra & Anatole Litvak
MUSIC USED:
- Pan's Labyrinth Soundtrack
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(Lars & Thomas)
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Storytellers I didn't expect the jordan peterson name drop, wonderfull vid.
It’s really cool that a Mexican man has been able to capture Spanish history in such an amazing and beautiful way.
It was originally set during the Mexican Revolution, where the rebels actually won, but Del Toro couldn't find financing in Mexico so he turned to Spain, instead. One can only imagine.
I'm studying Pans Labyrinth for my A level and my teacher actually though he was Spanish. (She's not a good teacher, but it also shows his storytelling skill.)
He is a grandchild of Spain's civil war refugees, as many Mexicans of his generation are. The story about not finding financing in Mexico for a movie about the Revolution might also be very true.
Enya L you do realize that Mexican blood heritage comes from Spain; back when the conquistadors sailed over and decimated the central native Americans! Mexicans or "Hispanic" are hybrids of Spanish and native blood!
@@La-familia-de-Fazio conquistadors? Invaders
Fast forward to today, november 7th 2022: According to Guillermo del Toro himself, his version of Pinocchio is the third installment of this trilogy. It is set in Mussolini's Italy. Again, a fantastic story framed in a very real and raw context. Del Toro says that the three films are a manifesto on disobedience, from the innocent point of view of children, who try to make sense of life in the midst of a very hostile environment.
Not to start an argument, but the 2017 The Shape Of Water can also be put in that category. Even though it takes place in America. It still follows the same structure of the other two. It also is its own creation. While Pinocchio is his adaptation of a stolen already told. But I can also agree you on his Pinocchio. 🙂
Omg a video essay NOT sponsored by Square Space?! Say whaaat?!?
Lauren Bennett At this point I'm stunned when any type of video doesn't include a squarespace or audible sponsorship.
Alyssa Hansen skillshare yo
you've never played tuber simulator?
When I found out two of the rebels in pans labyrinth who where killed were Jamie and Carlos I was so sad. But I suppose in all of his films nobody truly gets a "happy ending" it's one of the many reasons I love his films so much, life is sad, hard, cruel . I wonder if the rebel who stuttered and was tortured was owl? It's common people who stutter to be selectively mute as children out of fear of being mocked. His films have such depth, and I love the way he brings real life struggles into supernatural/fantasy films. I could go on forever about my theories about del toro's movies, but no one will ever know the precisely what the story he's trying to tell is. That's what makes his films so beautiful.
damn... I didn't even noticed that that mistical super father in the end of pans labirynth is the same actor as the guy from the orphanage
Blender Dumbass I
Also appeared on Cronos
Whaaat 😮🤨🤔
Fantastic analysis, and and I think both The Devils Backbone and Pan's Labyrint are great movies for for bringing knowledge of the civil war to an international audience (I actually got to see both of these movies during the Spanish language-lessons in school!). I also think Pan's labyrinth is a fantastic example of a movie that uses a child's fantasy world for an allegory of horrible real-life events, since there has been so many movies with a similar premise that failed miserably. It'd be interesting to see a comparison of Pan's labyrinth and The Nutcracker 3D, a movie which also tired to mix childlike fantasy with allegories about Nazism and the world war (yes, they made some changes to the classical story) but wound up being horribly tone-deaf instead.
Thank you Gertrud! I had actually never seen The Devil's Backbone prior to the production of this video... I had heard of it and I still feel bad for not having picked it up earlier. Having watched it it really becomes an inseparable companion piece to Pan's Labyrinth and it actually made me appreciate that movie even more... Also lol, had no idea that The Nutcracker 3D existed, I remember watching the classic over and over when I was young, might be interesting to re-watch it again sometime soon! - Thomas
Gertrud Bondesson hola
The Spanish people didn't choose to forget, they forced us to. To this day, the heirs of Franco still govern this country, product of a transition towards "democracy" controlled by the military and other fascist elements that still existed in the country. They try to make us forget the horrors that the Spanish people had to suffer, the thousands buried in mass graves, killed by the regime for ideological reasons, because to remember them would mean knowing where the current government came from. We are a country that tacitly praises fascism while having unidentified democrats rotting in mass graves, without proper burials, for the same reasons I already quoted. Very insightful video, greetings from Spain.
Jarkov I totally agree. just look at Belchite. They try to make us forget but they just can’t quite hide their mess...
I see you have both good taste in film and music. Greetings from Norway
It's not forgotten in South Wales. Many men from the valleys travelled to support and fight with the rebels during the 30's and the memorials to those who died are a reminder for all of Spain's loss.
@@emjenkins464 nor is it forgotten in British Colombia where we erected a monument to those who died fighting in Spain. like the film says "traces of their time on earth visible only to those who know where to look"
At least the dongs from those times are still present to this day.
Brilliant! Great analysis. My grandmother survived the Spanish Civil War so Del Toro's films had always resonated within me. Excellent vlog.
Thank you Ignacio. I can imagine his films hit home for people who have a personal history with the war. I'm also wondering about Spain's present situation, hopefully things will remain peaceful... - Thomas
Same here. My grandmother was from Cazorla and she moved to Zaragoza after the war. It’s cool to see others who had family from Spain who had lived through that time.
The Michael Stuhlbarg character in Shape of Water certainly reminds me of the doctor from Pan's Labyrinth.
Finally... someone has managed to analyze Pan's Labyrinth. I understood and managed to grasp the ending on my own but not much else. I knew there was more there!
Great, magnificient essay! The benign father figure in both films (Dr. Casares and the king) was played by Federico Luppi, a great actor who died recently.
Thank you Marcelo, I actually saw a post about his passing away yesterday... I had no idea he played the benign father figure in Pan's Labyrinth as well. I would've mentioned it otherwise! - Thomas
The 3rd of this trilogy is "The Shape of Water" -- the paranoia of the Cold War and the betrayal of the Male Identity by the Ideology of a Fear Mongering State.
But the trilogy is about the Spanish civil war tho, right? Fukkit, I could be wrong, but considering the consistent theme with the last two films it wouldn’t make much sense for it to suddenly take place in America during the Cold War (not to mention the whole ‘water monster’ thing).
I think maybe Cronos would fit better
Sí
No. The 3rd would be a movie called 3993, but Del Toro put the project to rest...
The orphanage could be the 2nd and then pan the more elaborate the 3rd: the handicapped orphans were killed during Franco era.
Damn, gotta re-watch the Devils backbone, seen it on TV wayyyy back... But Pans Labyrint is amongst my favorite movies.
Do it! It's definitely worth it!
So I did and now, with the extra knowledge, how the movies are connected, it was much better experience! Thanks!
If anyone is wondering, the third film is "Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio" (on Netflix), and it comes as the second part, between the Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth.
This has got to be the best example of a video essay to date! Fantastic analysis and comparison, as always :)
Asher Soryl Well said!
Can't wait for The Shape Of Water!!!
Patrick Bateman Same!
I saw it at Sitges festival a month ago and I was really disappointed. It's not a bad film but it's not like his other films, it's a more archetypical and light-hearted story without barely any depth whatsoever. It kinda reminded of Amelie with a creepy and gory touch.
@@guiraus *Wins Best Picture*
@Jeremy Roberts I kinda agree with baby onion here. I can see the métaphore , but haven't we seen this metaphore for a loooooooooooooooong time? "person is different, kill it with fire!". His other movies are packed with deep allegories (as seen in the video which is great). Still, this my take.
CARLOS, JAIME NO! I involuntarily muttered 'Goddammit!' and sulked for a little while after you mentioned that. I mean their futures were already pretty bleak albeit slightly hopeful by the end but.... goddammit. Also wonderful video.
I have to give credit to one of the author's of the articles I used for this video. I had no idea that they were the same actors (puberty, right?) and it blew my mind. They're not listed as playing the same characters but I'm pretty sure that's what we're supposed to think. Only fitting to have them play two 'unnamed rebels', as they were 'nobody's children' after all... - Thomas
Unfortunately, if they were real people, that was likely to be their reality, regardless. Terrible times.
They died as heroes
Loved this analysis, I got emotional at the end. We reflect our stories and lessons through movies to show the effects and caution. Need to remember more
Brilliant analysis of two complex stories. The Fallopian tube motifs within Pan's labyrinth, good spot, I only noticed one in the storybook, but if you look, there are at least 10 refs to that motif throughout the film.
So close to 100k guys!! Super glad to see y'all reach this amazing milestone!
Thanks Nick. Also, I'm beginning to suspect that you're some kind of an omnipresent being... - Thomas
Storytellers lmfao! Is that because you're also seeing me in the comments of almost every vid? I'm getting that a lot lately
Yup lol, and not just on other video essay channels, completely random one's as well I believe.
Buddy story tellers is so amazing it puts any academic paper on movies to shame. I really appreciate the analysis and the soundtrack on the vids. Unreal.
Storytellers He's like me, ceot outside the anime community XD
I’m so impressed with this film analysis. Such a great job.
every time i come back to this video, im still left thinking about Jaime and Carlos and how the hopeful ending of their stories escaping, is lost in Pans Labyrinth as they die laying not like main characters, but as any soldier would lay down to rest. The characters aren't bulletproof to life, it was simply a story told.
I was friends with the nephew of the guy who played Jacinto on "The Devil's Back Bone"... turns out, the guy is not that bad. Perhaps a little full of himself, but that's something to be expected. In any case, the saddest part is that, for some people, what you talk about may seem like a long, forgotten past. It is not the case, however, here in Spain. Many political parties are still supported here by people who believe in what Franco did. A big chunk of the population still believes in Franco as a sort of savior, a prophet or even a messiah. I do hope this comment doesn't become very public because, honestly, it wouldn't be the first time in the Spanish "democracy" that a person is incarcerated for publishing their beliefs (you can see it in the news, as Dani Mateo and Valtonyc have been prosecuted for various "crimes against the crown" [basically snorting on the Spanish flag and trash-talking about the king]). On the other hand, I do wish this comment becomes public as a sort of "call for help", because Spain is slowly becoming unbearable, and we could very well use the help of the rest of the countries that still enjoy the sweet taste of free speech. In any case, I hope you never forget that, here in Spain, for an act as simple as voting for independence, an entire community (the Catalans) was beaten up by the police. And the only ones in jail so far are the ones that proposed such voting to the people...
Ever Wanderer sounds like any sort of criticism of Spain in popular media can only come from other Spanish speaking countries. Similarly, any criticism of Nazi Germany could only safely occur in popular media in German refugees and settled German or German speaking immigrants in other countries. Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator overall mocks Nazi ideology before America entered the war and American comic books, written largely by Jewish boys and men of differing nationalities, had superhero’s fighting and arguing against Nazi propaganda at a similar time before America entered the war. I’m unaware of similar popular media of the time from other countries, but I’m sure they existed as refugees fled not only to America.
@@NinjaStripes I think that's normal for most countries. The US doesn't have too many critics in the media (outside of the President and that's only really on reality tv) unless it is from immigrants coming in, foreigners or politicians (again, the criticism is almost always about the Presidency). Nobody dares to talk criticism about what the US has done in the US or else they are called un-American. Hell, even talking online about the historical and current issues that plagued and still persist in the US will get you blocked because "you just hate the US". The US has been one of the biggest assholes in history for pretty much anyone that wasn't an Anglo Saxon Protestant with roots from 1777 or prior. Throughout history we have pretty much did whatever we wanted with no respect for who might be affected and it has blown up in our face a vast majority of times everything from the Civil War onwards is us overstepping our boundaries and getting hit by consequences). But nobody is allowed to talk about any of this.
Hyperion God if that isn’t the truth and nothing but the truth, I don’t know what is.
It's not just Spain, the media in Norway doing coverage on the Catalan independence was so biased against the independence basically labelling everyone as terrorists for wanting liberty. We did not hear of any violence towards the Catalans only that it was such a small part of Spain and how you wanted to seperate families living in seperate locations..
This is one of the best film video essays I've seen. Obviously a lot of effort was put in in terms of historical research, literature, culture, and symbolism. No fly-by comments, but a very thorough, thought-provoking analysis. Well done! Subscribed!
This was beautifully done. And very emotionally driven. I have both of these films along with The Orphanage. Cronos and others I too love... What a gifted and articulate man he is. Thank you for this wonderful synopsis.
Whoa I had no idea these two movies were connected with shared characters 12:02 blew my mind
thank you so much for your critique of these movies I only watched pans labyrinth but i thoroughly enjoyed your side by side analysis of them! keep going ! i love seeing your channel grow :)
Thanks so much! Even though you've now been spoiled on the events of The Devil's Backbone I would still highly recommend you watch it at some point. I was already aware of the plot lines prior to my first viewing as well, yet it was still a highly satisfactory experience (especially when watched together with Pan's Labyrinth). - Thomas
Excellent video, as a public school teacher I admire the pacing and stylistic choices you make to communicate to your audience. I look forward to watching more of your work and learning. Cheers.
Wonderful, Wonderful! Your exploration of these two films, of the gothic and the fairytale, are fantastic. I've always been a big fan of Pans Labyrinth, though i hadn't seen The Devil's Backbone. This discussion has been a tremendous aid for my own current writing project. thanks and great work :)
What a video essay. Seriously my friend, Bravo. Absolutely beautiful.
Absolutely beautiful, this video. I have not watched (or dare not watch to be more precise) the two films because, well, I don't cope well with trauma, but you still manage to get the point across, and dare I say, motivated me to give the movies a shot. I might not come out unscathed, so wish me luck.
I've watched this video of yours over and over again. Such a great job you did there sir. Huge thank you.
Sometimes when i look at my documents im actually amazed how highly i regard pans Labyrinth. Great Video.
Great narration and analysis. You brought up a lot of good points that I had not thought of before. Thank you for sharing.
Wow this video is absolutely amazing, great job :') I really like Del Toros' work and you just put everything together wonderfully
This was a Great Historical, & Cenimatic analysis.
I truly respect this you put so much detail into breaking down beauty to the math or sceince of the art thus highlighting the art itself. I want to begin to do this with music more specificly rap and make art with this detail u inspire me
This was a fantastic analysis. Thank you.
Thank you for this brilliant video. Very introspective and clarifying
I never knew of The Devil's Backbone. I must find a copy and replace my lost copy of Pan's Labyrinth. Thank you for making this video. It was a great review for my own current work.
Wow I am really impressed with this video. Good job! Keep it up i am already looking forward to the next one
This was brilliant, thank you!
An excellent analysis and discussion. Really nicely researched and presented. :)
EDIT: First person to post the vid on r/videos gets a cookie:) Hi guys! In preparation for Halloween and Guillermo del Toro's soon to be released 'The Shape of Water' I decided to make do a video on two of his best films. Also, we'll be dropping a second video later this week! Two things I'd like to add: 1. SPOILERS! I mention the deaths of Carlos and Jaime in Pan's Labyrinth in the video, although it's not 100% certain that it's actually supposed to be the same characters. Del Toro deliberately used the same two actors for the roles of these unnamed soldiers, so my guess is he's purposely ambiguous about it. 2. I've become a big fan of Jordan B Peterson's work over the last months, and although I apply some of the insights from his lectures for this video, they are simplified for flow reasons. If you find this type of stuff interesting, I would highly recommend you check out his lectures for more in depth insights! - Thomas
Thank you Thomas, keep up the good work
Thanks for watching! - Thomas
I've watched a lot of video essays on youtube and this one was flat out amazing. Very well articulated! Was a pleasure watching, cheers.
wonderful and insightful analysis well done man!
Great job on analyzing these films. A++
I thought Cronos was the first of Del Toro's trilogy? Cronos, Devils Backbone and finally Pans Labyrinth. Cronos is considered Del Toro's first movie after all. Either way, nice work on the vid, here's my Haiku Review: How pain may be seen Guillermo del Toro knows Trauma feels heavy
This was so so good. Thank you for making it. Being Spanish I especially enjoyed it.
I love Pan's Labyrinth!
Same
This was stunning. Absolutely stunning. Thank you.
It's like with Daniel Krauss's/Guillermo del Toro's Trollhunters(The 2015 book not the DreamWorks Netflix cartoon) delved into the trauma of losing your loved ones and struggling with the idea that they're still there and showing the harsh reality of the history of war albeit in a mythical sense. I could also say the Pale Man is highly similar to Gunmar the Black as a gluttonous demonic being that devours children. Despite TrollHunters looking like a children's fantasy book it's actually incredibly gruesome and freaky like Pan's Labyrinth is. Too bad DreamWorks just had to change and Water it down to the point that the protagonist Jim Sturges isn't even himself anymore! With is both sad and unbelievable since Guilmello Del Toro himself was heavily involved in the pilot! I have to deal with that trauma now!
Thanks for the recommendation! I hadn't heard of the book version and it sounds mighty interesting. I've put it in my basket to purchase later! - Thomas
Damn this was good, I was in the works for making an analysis of the orphanage and your editing gave me a lot of ideas! Keep up the good work :)
Thanks, the orphanage is another great one as well. Not directed by del Toro, but you can definitely see his influence as a producer. Also, a lot spookier than your average del Toro flick I'd say! - Thomas
wow! this was amazingly detailed! another fantastic video
I've just Crimson Peak yesterday and God, what a movie! I don't know why people keep bashing it, it's a good movie
Really good, thank you for this video.
i cried.. this was a wonderful explanation.. thank you.
WOAH that editing! Great job guys!
Thanks for watching again Elsie! - Thomas
Always enjoy your breakdown of these films. It really touches your heart on an inspiring, eye opening level :)
Thank you Elise!
Thanks for making this video man. It's hard to explain, but it was one of the things that sent me spiraling out into a bunch of philosophical and psychological reading (especially Jung) that helped get me out of a really deep depression. I've always been inclined to try and understand those kinds of things anyways, but given the "trauma" in my life, and the repressions in my life, I just resigned to nihilism. This really inspired me in a pretty dark time.
Great to hear, Joseph! I'd definitely recommend Jordan B Peterson's work in case you don't already follow him! - Thomas
Que buen video!!! estoy ansiosa por la 3ra parte..
A really great video essay! I knew the movies were set together, but never noticed the parallels in their set up, costume choice, and even returning actors! The actors of Carlos and Jaime especially - it isn’t clear cut if it’s the same universe, but it doesn’t really matter; as much as I wanted the kids to have a happy end after leaving the orphanage, the only realistic way their lives would play out would be in the war. And I never considered that (I didn’t even think about the implications!). Anyway, I absolutely agree, these films are great, apart or together, spinning such fantastic narratives rich with symbolism.
The Devils Backbone and Pan's labirynth are two movies i've had and watched for some time, never knew they were works of Del Toro, neato!
These movies are masterpieces. This was a beautiful video, thank you so much.
Great review at an academic level! Thank you!
beautifully told i enjoyed this so much.!! Well done sir ❤
This was fantastic! Thank you!
Beautiful analysis
Amazing analysis, immediately subscribed
This was really good. Great job
Incredible. Great analysis.
Great essay, guys. Just subscribed!
Pretty well done video! Definitely could tell how much you love these movies
Thanks, tbh I had never seen The Devil's Backbone prior to the making of this video. I had heard of it but never gotten around to watching it. I feel bad that it took me so long because it's a great film that deserves more attention. - Thomas
A very compelling video. Loved it!
So happy I've found this channel
This was beautifully done thank you
Incredible video, thank you.
This gave chills Loved it!
Damn this was a good ass video I really enjoyed it and it opened my eyes to aspects about Pan’s Labyrinth (I haven’t seen the devil’s backbone but I will now) thank you!
Wow. Such a great video, very interesting ! I never realized that Jaime and Carlos were in Pan's Labyrinth. It's so sad...
Omg, I know what I need to watch next, thanks dawg!
Really good work! Excellent! I can't wait for more :)
Thanks for the encouraging words, I appreciate it. - Thomas
Brilliant analysis!
Thanks dude! - Thomas
What an awesome video, thank you for this!
Now THIS is quality content! You got a subscriber
oh my god, who dislike this video???? I've watched both of the movies, but now i see it in a completely different perspective. what a masterpiece. great vid by the way
He should adapt "for whom the bell tolls"
So good u made it sooo gd keep it up!
Beautiful analysis.
Wow, great explanation. subscribed. I love Guillermo Del Toro
Guillermo Del Toro aka William of the Bull is AWESOME
you're doing a great job, thank you
Great analysis and explanation. Thank you.
Thanks for watching! - Thomas
Pan's Labyrinth is a masterpiece ❤️❤️❤️
this was amazing!!
I just watched Pan's Labyrinth. Fantastic! So harsh, so magical. I loved it very much.
thanks for posting
Absolutely brilliant
Is a shame many people look down upon horror when the genre is capable of dealing with trauma so well. What other genre is more capable of dealing with unresolved and repressed trauma?!?! As for Guillermo del Toro i think he is a genius, he was capable of taking the usual elements of horror and fantasy and turned them upside down showing the deep within these elements. I watched" The devil Backbone" when I was a teenager and quickly became obsessed with the themes in the movie. Themes that even now more that a decade later are still important to me.
How do you feel about the fact that he is Mexican?
Wow, fantastic insight!