Narrative
The narrative structure of ‘El Orphanato’ is chronological, with cuts to distinguish between passing time. At the beginning of the film there is an introduction to the character of Laura, a young girl living in an orphanage. Throughout the film, there are constant flashbacks to this time, as well as photographs, films and hallucinations. This illustrates the lives of the other children after Laura’s adoption, as well as giving a brief history of the orphanage itself. Throughout the film the filmmakers use suggestion to create an eerie atmosphere around the characters and the orphanage building, which is a typical convention of horror films. This is also shown by the giving of clues to the audience, which is also a prominent theme within the films narrative, interlocking the two. The character of Benigna is enigmatic within the narrative, only hinting at her real motives by actions and appearance. The trauma after Simon’s disappearance is heightened by feelings of paranoia and terror within the character of Laura. Laura and Carlos attend a meeting for bereaved parents, and because of Laura’s visions, the audience are inclined to believe that she is experiencing typical emotions and feelings of such circumstances, hearing children in the house for example, and that Simon, although he is physically missing, his presence may still be with her. After Benigna’s sudden death, Laura and Carlos appear to be at a loose end, and begin to try more heretical methods of finding their son, such as the employment of Aurora, a medium. This, although not conclusively, indicates that there is supernatural energy within the house. Carlos thinks the method is deceptive and therefore useless, and after she pleads for him to do so, leaves Laura in the house. She follows the trail of clues, and as the audience are not omnipotent, and have no more knowledge than Laura, the outcome is mysterious and forbidding. The final catharsis is that Laura commits suicide by overdose, after finding Simon’s dead body. The ending is bittersweet, as although Laura is dead, she is with her son and her presence will stay in the orphanage forever. This is felt by Carlos in the final scene; he was a sceptic but now believes that Laura’s presence is there.
Genre
Individual Interpretations and Position
Micro Elements
Emotional Response
