Pan’s Labyrinth

Director Guillermo del Toro returns to the fertile territory of the devil’s backbone with a magical tale rooted in the dark reality of Spanish history. Set after the Civil War when the marquis waged guerilla resistance against Franco, the film follows the adventures of a young girl whose mother married a sadistic fascist officer. The girl encounters a faun and manages to enter his enchanted and dangerous world. Meanwhile, her stepfather pursues the marquis… Fantastic special effects combine with excellent performances to powerful effect.