Representation of EthnicityHotel Babylon Analysis

By Chloe O’Hare

CameraThere is a layer over the camera which is a cage like layer, this makes the immigrants look like they are trapped in this narrow corridor and this life that they may not be able to escape from. This shows the viewers that these people of different races, excluding white British are ruled over and dominated by the white British and are constantly trapped in this unfair society.

SoundThe sound is parallel to the scene. The music is rushed and filled with suspense which initially affects the audience. The diegetic sound is people shouting and screaming, which also emphasises the chaotic environment.

Mise-en-sceneThe setting of this screen grab I have chosen is set underground in a dark, crowded corridor. This is not a nice environment to be in which suggests the people in it aren’t important enough to have a nice work environment. The costumes the immigrants are wearing are cleaner and chef outfits, which are jobs of a low paid wage, which re enforces the stereotype that people of these races are uneducated. Also, the fact they have these jobs almost lowers their value in society again reinforcing the stereotype. The lighting of this scene is dark and the only light in the scene is being shadowed by this cage type layer over the camera. This suggests that there is not hope in the immigrants being safe from the situation they are encountering.

EditingThese immigrants get hardly any screen time on their own which emphasises that they lack individuality. This is almost to blame the dominant people they are surrounded by, the white British. As, they get a lot of screen time on their on, most importantly the receptionist, which is not an educated job but is seen to be as more important than the immigrants who are providing food and hygiene.

CameraThe shot of this screengrab is a close up shot which is also a point of view shot as it is being shown from another person’s perspective who is in the room experiencing this. From the mans hand we see he is wearing a ring, which shows he is married due to it being his left hand, therefore this emphasises the fact he iust in a committed relationship and is most likely settled down and working for his family. Again, this subverts the stereotype as black people being ‘aggressive’ and ‘nasty’ and do not have a lot of money.

Mise-en sceneIn this scene, the prop used is a pot of jam, which the Black man is helping to save the women from her blackout. This automatically subverts the stereotype that black people are inferior and often in gangs, whereas he is just being helpful and showing his intelligence.

EditingThe editing in this screengrab has many meanings. One being that the shot was zoomed into to show the audience what is going on, where we see the man helping the women by intelligently knowing to put jam in her mouth. This subverts the stereotype of black people being un-educated. Also, the lighting of the scene is dark and dim which enhances the impending doom that could be coming. To add on to this, there is mainly the colour black in the scene and this colour symbolises death which makes the audience think the women is going to die.

SoundThe sound in this shot is all different, the diegetic sound in the background is people shouting and being scared, whereas the man operating on the women is completely silent and calm. Therefore, this shows that he is taking control of the situation and not panicking whilst having responsibility of this women in his hands. The dialogue in this scene shows that the black man has had past experiences of being a doctor which shows he is well-educated and intelligent. This again subverts the stereotype of black people being uneducated again proving the audience and society wrong.

Mise-en sceneIn this screengrab, the men involved are wearing suits and blazers which enhances the stereotypical view of white men being smart and well educated with a good income.

CameraThe shot of this screengrab is a mid shot which lets the audience see the mens faces clearly and the upper part of their body language. It lets us see their facial expressions which is stern and serious. The body language of the two men behind are standing up right and have broad shoulders. This conforms the stereotype that white people are superior as they are acting as bodyguards for the man infront of them.

Editing:The editing of this shot is normal and slightly slow-paced which makes the audience wait for what is about to come putting them on edge. However, this also conforms the stereotype of the white man having power as he takes his time to walk into the building and talk to the receptionist.

SoundThe dialogue of this scene is said from the man that ‘he has authority’ to search this building. This dialogue shows that he is giving an order to the women not asking wether he can search the building or not. This conforms the stereotype to white people having authority. The music in the background is a medium-pace, suspense filled piece which sounds like it is from a spy movie.

CameraThis shot is a long-shot, therefore it lets the audience see the body language of both men. The white man seems to be more interested in what the black man is talking about, whereas the black person looks like he is just chatting to a normal person. Therefore, this subverts the stereotype that black people are inferior. The black man is also sitting upright in a polite manner, which again subverts the stereotype that black people aren’t brought up very well.

SoundThe dialogue of this screengrab shows the black men talking in a polite voice, which sounds slightly camp. Therefore, he could be homosexual which is another targeted minority group. So, although they present him in a polite, smarted, superior manner, he then has a camp voice which then is looked down on to some people in society today. This almost suggests that black people can’t be good enough to live up to society's standards which conforms the stereotype.

EditingThe shot of this is a fast pace as this shot happens the same time the immigration officers come in. This shot also doesn’t have a lot of screen time due to its fast pace, as this suggests the black person does not need as much camera time as the immigration officers, emphasising their lack of importance.

Mise-en sceneIn this screengrab, the men involved are wearing suits and blazers which enhances the stereotypical view of white men being smart and well educated with a good income.

Mise-en sceneThis screengrab shows an African women in a cleaners uniform, which shows that she is uneducated and not intelligent enough to have a well-paid job. It also suggests that she is of a lower class and inferior to the white people due to the fact she is working for them. Therefore, this is obvious that this conforms the stereotype of the African women being of a lower class and uneducated.

CameraThis camera shot is a mid-shot which shows the facial expression and body language of the women's body. The expression on her face shows she is sad and unhappy with her life, her body language shows she is slightly scared and that she knows she is inferior to the rest of the people in the hotel. Therefore, this conforms the stereotype that black people are inferior to white people. Sound

This screengrab is take shortly after their fellow college had been taken, therefore there is no dialogue in this shot due to them being upset and thinking about what they have all just experienced. The silence reflects on their feelings and how empty they must feel due to this loss of theirs. This silence also enhances their feeling of being scared knowing that they could be taken next or soon to come.

EditingThe editing of this screengrab portrays many things. One being the lighting of this scene, it is dark and dim which shows the negativity and sadness of the previous moment they have experienced. The transitions of the shot are slow and they almost wipe into one another, therefore this all shows the audience the different ethnic groups who are all feeling the same thing, being scared and knowing what threat they are under. Due to this, the audience begin to sympathise for the immigrants and make us realise that all people are the same, everyone should be treated equally which both evidentially subverts and conforms their stereotype.