Pan’s Labyrinth is a dark fairy tale centred on the character of Ofelia played by Ivana Baquero. She is also the spirit Princess Moanna, who long ago left the underground realm curious of the world above. She is set three tasks by “The Faun” so that she may return to her father’s side. The first task was to retrieve a golden key from the belly of a giant toad that lives beneath the rotting tree. Successful in that, the key allowed her to seek an ornate golden dagger from the lair of “The Pale Man” portrayed by Doug Jones. The Faun later explains to Ofelia that the blood of her baby brother (an innocent) must be spilled in the centre of the Labyrinth to open the gateway to the underground realm. She refuses and sacrifices herself for her brother. This is ultimately the third task and she will spend an immortal life as the Princess with her father and mother in the kingdom.

Directed by visionary Guillermo del Toro, Pan’s Labyrinth opened to amazing reviews with virtually universal critical acclaim. It ultimately won 3 Oscars (it was nominated for 6) as well as numerous other awards including countless nods to make up and special effects. At the box office it did extremely well after a very limited initial release. Taking $80 million in the US alone it remains their 4th highest grossing foreign language film of all time.