USA: Acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro and cast attend a special Hollywood screening of 'Pan's Labyrinth', in which imagination and satyrs run wild

Acclaimed Mexican director Guillermo del Toro and the cast of "Pan's Labyrinth" gathered for a special screening at Grauman's Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, less than a week after the film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language film. The film paints an imaginative picture of a young girl named Ofelia, whose soul has a magical and regal history, and the arduous journey through another world that she must take in order to regain her former self. The film has also been nominated for thirteen Goya Awards, Spain's most reputable film awards, much to the pleasure of the creative force behind the camera. "I am incredibly pleased, I'm very happy, surprised at how all across the board the appeal of the film has been, and I really enjoy when a movie is so hard to shoot, it's really welcomed and great when the recognition comes from the critics and the public," said Guillermo del Toro, Director of "Pan's Labyrinth." Although it appears to be a perfect replacement for the "Harry Potter" and "Narnia" films this season, "Pan's Labyrinth" is anything but a movie for children. Roger Ebert bills the R-rated film as "A fairy tale for adults," largely because it delves into the cruel side of humanity and isn't afraid to take liberties with the traditional happy Hollywood ending. "The movie is not for children, it's only for adults. It's like a terrific fairy tale where the world is shows as it is -- terrifyingly. Children shouldn't watch the movie right now, let them still think that the world is a nice place and don't show them how it really is," said Actress Ariadna Gil, who plays Ofelia's mother Carmen in "Pan's Labyrinth." Set in northern Spain in the year 1944, the film gives an unflinching look at life following the country's civil war. Ofelia, played by child actress Ivana Baquero, is a lonely girl traveling with very pregnant mother to meet her malicious stepfather, who is stationed with the military to eradicate guerrilla factions still active in the region. On her first night in this rural outpost, Ofelia is led by a fairy to an old Labyrinth behind a mill that is guarded by a an ancient Satyr named Pan, who claims to know her true identity and secret destiny. But before she can learn these things, Ofelia must first complete three difficult tasks in secret before the moon grows full. This is the fourth feature film for Baquero, who glides down the red carpet with an ease beyond her years, sharing her fondness for the character she plays. "I love that she's really brave, and there's not a specific thing that I can say that I love most about Ofelia because in general, I love everything about her," said Baquero. Filming "Pan's Labyrinth" has been the most ambitious project to date for del Toro, mainly because of the special effects laden cinematography that requires filming in front of a green screen, a difficulty for many actors. But the director of "Hellboy" and "Blade II" is a seasoned professional who pays homage to the Latin Americans that paved the way for him and his peers so that they may be celebrated in the present and future. "I am really happy because it's not only our effort, or Alfonso (Cuaron) and Alejandro (Gonzalez Inarritu), etc, but rather the generation before us and the generation after us. I think it's a good time for the Latin American film industry," said del Toro. When asked about the director's on-set antics, nothing but high praise came from his actors. But actress Maribel Verdu put it best when talking about del Toro as a co-worker and friend: "He's the bomb, he is such a talent, he takes care of his actors, he's always caring about you and he's very concerned, and he does anything to make you more comfortable and have a great time while filming. He's fantastic," she said. "Pan's Labyrinth" opens in the United States on December 29.

ITN Source | December 21, 2006

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