Guillermo del Toro Shares Insights on Making ‘Pan’s Labyrinth,’ Netflix’s Role in Film, and the Hollywood Merger Ahead
At the Cannes Film Festival this year, while major Hollywood productions may have been sidelined, the spotlight shone brightly on two iconic films: the 20th anniversary of Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth and the 4K restoration of Ken Russell’s 1971 cult classic, The Devils.
Set in 1944 Spain, Pan’s Labyrinth follows young Ofelia, who, along with her pregnant mother, is forced to move to the countryside under the oppressive watch of her stepfather, Captain Vidal. As Vidal embarks on a violent mission to eliminate local rebels, Ofelia discovers a hidden labyrinth and meets a Faun who reveals her true identity as a princess from an enchanted realm. To reclaim her place, Ofelia must complete three daunting tasks while grappling with the harsh realities surrounding her, including her mother’s deteriorating health.
The film marked a pivotal moment in del Toro’s career, showcasing his ability to transition from genre films to sophisticated narratives.
In an interview at Cannes, del Toro shared his perspective on the film’s legacy and his ownership of it, stating, “Now, I do. There was a license which lapsed… Now, I can care for the movie for the rest of my life.”
“How pivotal was Pan’s Labyrinth in your career? You were established doing Hollywood genre films, but this was an arthouse play,” he reflected. “It was life or death… A lot of superhero movies were being offered to me… I said, I’m going to stick to this one.” Despite overwhelming resistance from distributors, he credited Bob Berney of Picturehouse for recognizing the movie’s potential as he intended.
When discussing financing, del Toro explained, “Mexico, Spain and presales. Wildbunch was key in financing the movie.” The project required significant collaboration and personal investment from the team.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the film, he said, “When I was growing up, a lot of the people that worked in the movie business were exiles from the Civil War.” He emphasized the intertwined histories that influenced his narrative choices.
Del Toro was also asked if he could make Pan’s Labyrinth today. “In terms of craftsmanship, sure,” he replied. However, he acknowledged the challenges of financing such projects now.
About the filmmaking process, del Toro described his approach to capturing big gestures, which he believes are essential to engage the audience and convey the film’s scale.
As for the current landscape of Hollywood and the impending merger between Warner Bros. and Paramount, del Toro expressed concern over the evolving dynamics of the industry, noting, “You have Silicon Valley merging with Hollywood… Each filmmaker… has to choose where the trench has to be dug.”
On the topic of artificial intelligence in the industry, he warned, “I think the more you leave your decisions to something and not someone, the worse you are for it.” He emphasized the necessity of keeping human creativity at the core of artistic endeavors.
This interview has been edited for length.
