Hotel Babylon and ethnicity

Most ethnicities shown in the clip are clear. Most ethnic groups are shown to have clear interests and attitudes, being shown through the way that they react to the given situation- all reacting differently. Some are hysterical, giving the idea that the represented culture is helpless, and not as strong as others, some pray, showing that religion is a big part of their culture and ethnicity, and some take initiative to help the others, representing the ethnic group as intelligent.
Characters are constantly seen praying, speaking their own language etc. which shows that their ethnicity is an important aspect of their life. The characters are also very embracing towards other ethnic groups. One man of black origin helps out a European woman in need. A chinese woman takes care to ensure that they are not found, and is visibly distressed upon finding out that someone has been found.
One ethnicity that has a strong representation in the clip is the white group. They are seen as snobby, dominant and narrowminded towards the situation at hand. The clip gives a pretty accurate representation of white people through the clothes, body language, manner of speaking, and even the use of low angle shots to display the dominance to the audience.

The music used when introducing the white people to the scene at the very start is non-diagetic, and connotes a sense of power. It has a strong beat and gives to sense of strength and power that the character represents. The music played is also very loud, which also goes towards representing the obnoxious attitude of this ethnic group. It connotes that they a strong willed and opinionated, and unwilling to stop until they have achieved the goal.

In the scene where the cleaner is taken by immigration officers, the scene starts out with an over the shoulder shot of the white group of men. Again, this signifies the idea of power- these shots are often used to convey the idea of power, focusing in on the main character of focus/dominance. The fact that the cleaner is in the foreground at the edge of the frame, and there's a depth of field to make the immigration officers clearer connotes that they are superior.
One rather powerful shot that holds a strong representation for ethnic minority groups is that which occurs in the cafeteria scene. We are given a panning shot (as well as an arc shot) of three tables, each consisting of a different ethnic group participating in an activity stereotypical of their cultural background. The fact that such diverse ethnicities are sat almost side by side practicing their religion, or cultural activities goes against the stereotype of all foreign ethnicities only having bad intentions. They are shown to be compassionate to one another and respectful of their needs. White people, however, are shown to be more snobbish through the representation provided by one of the main characters of the scene- the detective. No consideration to the human needs and emotions.
Throughout the clip, tracking shots are used- mainly on the ethnic minorities. They are often whip pans that add to the intensity and seriousness of the scene. These shots connote that the minorities are panicked and concerned for the safety and well being of one another. This follows the stereotype that ethnic groups featured in this clip are more considerate than people of white decent, for example, that have grown in a first world country.


The clothing of all of the immigrant workers contrasts greatly towards the overall representation of ethnicity. While they are all wearing the same grotty overalls, the white ethnic group all wear suits and fancy clothing typical of a high class work place. This connotes that the white people are superior to the immigrants, who are all the same in the eyes of a stereotypical white person. It may be done to represent the way we view immigrants- all the same.
The lighting varies between scenes that heavily feature people of ethnic minorities and scenes that heavily feature white people. While scenes dominated by white people tend to be more brightly lit and using hard light to make the colours more vibrant and show the importance of this ethnic group, scenes such as those set in the basement have very dim lighting. This give the impression that the white group are of a higher class and rating- they are worthy of being seen more so than someone of an ethnic minority.
Facial expressions also play a key role in the mise-en-scene of this example between ethnic groups. Whilst the white group have either stern, or rather open, friendly features and expressions (for example, the main detective and the receptionist), ethnic minorities seemingly always have distressed and often unwelcoming features upon them. This is a rather stereotypical perception in Britain. We seem to see it that people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds are not as 'friendly' as Brits (despite the clear stereotype that all Brits are introverted).