Section A

Question 1

What is empowerment?

Answer 1

To gain power to feel powerful

Empowerment is a word we normally associate with men- or the masculine: physical power, political power, social power, control, business, religion, history…

Question 2

The use of the epithet …

Answer 2

(before women gets power) female implies that women being empowered is more unusual than their male. Aspect of character we associate with women and femininity are: maternity, caring, emotion, nurturing, weeping, need for protection. These positive and negative connotations of femininity are formed centuries of patriarchy, the films we have studied for this topic address the lack of empowerment experience by women in Spain, during, and after Franco’s reign.

Question 3

When was Pan set?

Answer 3

Spanish Mexican film, set in the civil war

Question 4

Ways that Mercedes achieves empowerment:

Answer 4

Mercedes is a spy for the Guerrillas (Maquis), she lives works in Vidal’s household and supports the guerrillas with information and provisions

Question 5

Evidence Mercedes achieves empowerment: (easy)

Answer 5

Sequences of M moving around the house in the darkness, long shots of M signalling with a lantern into the woods, close-ups of M listening or watching Vidal’s communications in the war room.

Question 6

Micro Mercedes achieves empowerment (easy)

Answer 6

The use of darkness implies the convert n nature of her rebellion. Darkness has connotations of secrets, but also of danger, Mercedes risks her life by living with the monstrous Vidal and intentionally defying his wishes.

Question 7

Context Mercedes achieves empowerment

Answer 7

Women, under fascism, were second class citizens creditated for weaker intellect and physical weakness. Mercedes is able to operate under Vidal’s nose as he is ignorant and fully buys into the fascist belief that women are inferior. He therefore underestimates his enemy and also Mercedes and ultimately this leads to his downfall.

Question 8

Evidence Mercedes achieves empowerment (hard)

Answer 8

Mercedes performing domestic duties and then rolling the knife into the bad of her apron. The knife is a symbol of power within the text, as O is also pictured brandishing one of her quest into the Pale Man’s lair.

Question 9

Micro Mercedes achieves empowerment (hard)

Answer 9

Mercedes been tied on a post, potentially torture or rape unroll the knife from her apron and use it to slice Vidal’s face..

The knife is a symbol of power, it is penetrative and arguably phallic as she emasculate Vidal by placing it in his mouth- he is unable to move at his point.

Mercedes in this low angle shot is perceived by the audience as powerful and determines - removing Vidal’s power and damaging his vanity through cutting his face, the audience- despite the violence- empathise with and celebrate, Mercedes who has been moved from a position of quiet strength to a more overt image of power.

Question 10

Context Mercedes achieves empowerment

Answer 10

Within this scene Mercedes references the sexist attitude of the fascist siting that she was able to get a way without because Vidal’s sees her as just a woman. The hubristic ( too much pride) attitude of Vidal’s (and therefore Fascists) with regard to women, brings about their downfall within the movie as del Toro ultimately portrays M as triumphing over Vidal.

Question 11

Volver’s Director

Answer 11

Almodoavor 2006

21st century text- Spanish director (auteur) and Spanish film.

Question 12

Who is Almodoavor

Answer 12

Almodoavor is homosexual director whose films often revolve in female protagonist or homosexual