# The Shape of Water

> 2017 film by Guillermo del Toro

**Wikidata**: [Q26698156](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26698156)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shape_of_Water)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-shape-of-water

## Summary
*The Shape of Water* is a 2017 film directed by Guillermo del Toro, blending speculative fiction, fantasy, drama, and romance into a visually rich narrative. It won multiple prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director, and is recognized for its unique storytelling and production design.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: Premiered on August 31, 2017, with wider releases on January 18, 2018 (U.S.), February 15, 2018, February 21, 2018, and February 22, 2018.
- **Director**: Guillermo del Toro, a Mexican filmmaker known for his work in fantasy and horror genres.
- **Genres**: Speculative fiction, thriller, fantasy, drama, romance, and melodrama.
- **Production Companies**: Produced by Searchlight Pictures (U.S.) and TSG Entertainment (U.S.), with music by Decca (British record label).
- **Costume Design**: Luis Sequeira, a Canadian costume designer, contributed to the film's visual style.
- **Awards**:
  - Won the **Golden Lion** at the Venice Film Festival (2017).
  - Won **Academy Awards** for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Production Design, and Best Original Score (2018).
  - Received the **Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Film** (2017).
- **Website**: Official site hosted by Fox Searchlight Pictures: [http://www.foxsearchlight.com/theshapeofwater/](http://www.foxsearchlight.com/theshapeofwater/).

## FAQs

**What is *The Shape of Water* about?**
The film is a fantasy-drama directed by Guillermo del Toro, set in the Cold War era, following a mute janitor who forms a bond with an amphibious creature held in a government lab. It explores themes of love, isolation, and humanity.

**Who directed *The Shape of Water*?**
Guillermo del Toro, a Mexican filmmaker renowned for his work in dark fantasy and horror, directed the film. His signature visual style and storytelling are prominent throughout.

**What awards did *The Shape of Water* win?**
The film won the **Golden Lion** at the Venice Film Festival, four **Academy Awards** (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Production Design, Best Original Score), and the **Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Film**.

**Which companies were involved in producing *The Shape of Water*?**
The film was produced by **Searchlight Pictures** (a U.S. distribution company) and **TSG Entertainment** (a U.S. financing entity), with music distributed by **Decca**, a British record label.

**What genres does *The Shape of Water* belong to?**
The film spans multiple genres, including **speculative fiction, thriller, fantasy, drama, romance, and melodrama**, making it a multifaceted cinematic experience.

## Why It Matters
*The Shape of Water* stands as a landmark in modern cinema for its bold fusion of genres and its emotional depth. It challenges conventional storytelling by centering a romance between a human and a non-human creature, pushing boundaries in representation and empathy. The film’s success at major awards, including the Oscars, underscores its critical and cultural impact, reinforcing Guillermo del Toro’s reputation as a visionary director. Its themes of otherness, love, and resistance resonate in contemporary discussions about inclusion and humanity.

## Notable For
- **First fantasy film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture** since *The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King* (2003).
- **Guillermo del Toro’s second Oscar win for Best Director**, following *Pan’s Labyrinth* (2006).
- **Unique blend of genres**, combining romance, fantasy, and Cold War-era thriller elements.
- **Acclaimed production design**, winning the Academy Award for Best Production Design.
- **Golden Lion winner at the Venice Film Festival**, one of the most prestigious film awards globally.

## Body

### Overview and Genre
*The Shape of Water* is a 2017 film directed by Guillermo del Toro, classified under multiple genres: **speculative fiction, thriller, fantasy, drama, romance, and melodrama**. This multifaceted approach allows the film to explore complex themes while maintaining a gripping narrative.

### Production and Release
The film was produced by **Searchlight Pictures**, an American film distribution company founded in 1994, and **TSG Entertainment**, a U.S. film financing entity established in 2012. The musical score was distributed by **Decca**, a British record label founded in 1929. The film premiered on **August 31, 2017**, with subsequent releases in the U.S. and other regions in early 2018.

### Creative Team
- **Director**: Guillermo del Toro, a Mexican filmmaker known for his work in fantasy and horror, including *Pan’s Labyrinth* and *Hellboy*.
- **Costume Design**: Luis Sequeira, a Canadian costume designer, contributed to the film’s distinctive visual aesthetic.

### Awards and Recognition
*The Shape of Water* received widespread acclaim, winning several major awards:
- **Golden Lion** at the **Venice Film Festival** (2017), the festival’s highest honor.
- **Academy Awards (2018)**:
  - Best Picture
  - Best Director (Guillermo del Toro)
  - Best Production Design
  - Best Original Score
- **Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Film** (2017).

### Themes and Cultural Impact
The film explores themes of **love, isolation, and humanity**, particularly through the relationship between its protagonist, a mute janitor, and an amphibious creature. Its Cold War setting adds layers of political and social commentary, making it relevant to contemporary discussions about marginalization and empathy. The film’s success at the Oscars and other awards solidified its place as a modern classic in fantasy cinema.

### Related Entities
- **United States**: The film’s primary setting and production country.
- **Mexico**: Guillermo del Toro’s country of origin, influencing his directorial style.
- **Speculative Fiction and Fantasy Genres**: The film’s classification within these genres highlights its imaginative and otherworldly elements.
- **Searchlight Pictures and TSG Entertainment**: Key production companies behind the film’s financing and distribution.
- **Decca**: The record label responsible for the film’s musical score.

### Legacy
*The Shape of Water* is notable for its **groundbreaking representation** of a romance between a human and a non-human character, challenging traditional narratives in cinema. Its critical and commercial success has cemented Guillermo del Toro’s status as a leading filmmaker in fantasy and speculative fiction. The film’s awards and cultural impact continue to influence discussions about genre-blending and inclusive storytelling in Hollywood.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2018)
2. [Source](https://dfwcritics.com/dfw-film-critics-name-the-shape-of-water-best-picture-of-2017/)
3. The Movie Database
4. IMDb
5. The Shape of Water. Rotten Tomatoes
6. Cineplex
7. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
8. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5580390/locations?ref_=tt_dt_dt)
9. [Source](https://iffr.com/nl/publieksprijs-2018/)
10. BBC Things
11. Google Knowledge Graph
12. [Source](https://variety.com/2017/film/in-contention/spirit-awards-2017-analysis-call-me-by-your-name-get-out-shape-of-water-1202620858/)
13. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=theshapeofwater.htm)
14. [Source](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5580390/)
15. Terjesztésre kerülő filmalkotások és artfilmek nyilvántartása
16. [Source](https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/shape-water-2017)
17. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=286954)
18. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
19. [Source](http://www.cnc.fr/web/fr/rechercher-une-oeuvre/-/visa/148063)
20. Australian Classification database
21. [Source](http://portal.mj.gov.br/ClassificacaoIndicativa/jsps/DadosObraForm.do?select_action=&tbobra_codigo=65175)
22. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
23. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/webicaa/Ficheros/154317/34/154317/1/209.pdf)
24. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=15742)
25. [Source](http://www.rtc.gob.mx/NuevoSitio/cine_clasif_35mm.php?cd=412)
26. [Source](http://fpbquery.fpb.org.za/erms/film_details.aspx?ref=80120)
27. Bechdel Test Movie List
28. The Shape of Water
29. [Source](https://imdaonline.imda.gov.sg/classification/Search/Film/SearchDetail.aspx?sType=Feature&sRowID=AAAgZnAAAAAADYnAAC)
30. Danish Film Database
31. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=406805)
32. Source
33. Internet Archive
34. Film & Video Labelling Body
35. [Source](http://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/530423EE00509740)
36. TheTVDB
37. Trakt.tv
38. FilmVandaag.nl