Bring on the tough stuff. There’s not just one right answer.
- How does Pan's Labyrinth portray the Spanish Civil War? Think not only about the literal war in the movie but the characters on either side and the similarities or differences between the war and Ofelia's fantasy journey.
- Vidal may be an evil man, but do you think he has characteristics that are admirable? Traits that other people could benefit from?
- How does viewing Pan's Labyrinth as a fable affect your perception of its story and characters? Do you think there is some moral it's trying to teach us?
- Is the fantasy world real? Could it all just be a part of Ofelia's imagination? A land she has created to escape the world that frightens her? More importantly, does it matter whether it is physical or imagined?
- Mercedes calls herself a coward; do you agree? Is her serving Vidal a sign of weakness or a necessary evil she must endure while working toward his demise?
- Is disobedience portrayed positively in the film? Why do the fairies and the Faun and even the book try to mislead Ofelia? Does she do the "right" thing and ignore their guidance? Or is her deviance what almost causes her end?
- How does Vidal know that his son is going to be a boy? Is it just coincidence that he's right or is his son's gender inevitable?