The next time we see Ofelia she is in a car with her mother and the context of their relationship is more closely examined. It is clear how close the two of them are and that the mother is pregnant and very ill. The mother's illness progressively worsens until she dies giving birth. At the time of the mother's death, a classic fairy tale theme is displayed. The theme being a young girl who is struggling with the death of a parent that is close to her with a step-parent who does not align with her values and beliefs and who is seen as evil.
In comparison, the main character in Cinderella is also a young girl who's mother just died. The main character's father is still alive but marries a lady who is seen as the iconic "evil step-mother". The father is more occupied with keeping up the step-mother's demands than sticking up for Cinderella. In both of these films, the main character is faced with learning to cope without the presence of someone who was very close to them, their mothers.
In both of these films, the main character has the opportunity to change their lives by completing various tasks. In Pan's Labyrinth, Ofelia can be freed of her harsh reality by completing three tasks to become Princess Moanna of the Underworld. Cinderella is faced with the opportunity to leave her evil stepsisters and stepmothers and engage in going about getting picked as the Prince's bride. Both of these girls are in search of escaping from their current lives to be placed into a happier state of living.
Ofelia is told of these tasks by the faun and must complete the near-impossible tasks before the full moon. The first task is retrieving a golden key from a toad's stomach. The second is entering the Pale Man's lair to open of of three boxes to retrieve a dagger. The third is to bring her baby brother to the entrance of the labyrinth.
Close up shots are founded often among both films to get a true sense of what the characters are feeling. Since the emotions are ran high throughout both films, it is important for the director to get that across to his audience by use of camera techniques.
In Cinderella's case, her stepmother assigned her twice to the task of picking up the lentils she previously threw into the fireplace ashes within two hours. If she completes the tasks she is able to attend the festival with her stepmother and stepsisters. There are three step sisters in this version of Cinderella, equating with the number three theme that is present in Pan's Labyrinth.
It is quite fascinating how modern directors still find it important to revamp and retell fairytales from a very long time ago. They are able to be their own type of creative by adding personal stories and characters to a plot that originated in the 19th century. Pan's Labyrinth and Cinderella as directed by the Grimm brothers have various similarities of mythical elements and frameworks.
