Ethnicity Textual Analysis: Hotel Babylon

Ethnicity is represented as a common stereotype in this clip from Hotel Babylon. Anyone who is not white British is treated with little respect.

Overview
Firstly, the Immigration team storm through the hotel as lack politeness. The word gets spread around the hotel and the immigrants are forced to hide in a small cupboard, this is so they do not get found. This immediately shows that they have very little power and have to try their best to not get caught. Because if they do get caught they will get taken away against their will. In this clip they are shown as hardworking because they are all doing their job. But the stereotype is that other ethnicities are lazy and do not want to work. This counteracts that stereotype but some people do not agree. This also easily makes the audience be on the immigrants side as they feel sympathy to them.

Editing
The editing used in this scene is very simple but effective. The first scene includes a short reverse shot; this is because the first character is shown to be looking back at the two police when they appear onscreen. This builds up suspense for the viewer as they don't know who it is at the start. Fast paced editing is also used in this clip. This is when the lady is frantically trying to gather all the immigrants together so they can be safe. This is used to show the viewer how big of a deal this is and to reflect the emotions they are feeling. It builds a lot of tension. This also shows the stereotype and how different ethnicities are seen as the protagonists. This is because they have to hide themselves and they are not accepted by certain people just because of their ethnicity.   

Camera
The use of the establishing shot in the first 30 seconds is used to show the viewer whereabouts the characters are going, this build suspense. Also, while the workers are in panic about the Immigration a tracking shot is used to follow the action. The action is the immigrants frantically pacing around; trying to hide from the immigration team so they don't get caught. This clearly shows that all the immigrants do not have high power in society. This has caused conflict between different ethnicities. The close up shot of the immigrants crammed in the room brings together a sense of community as everyone is helping each other.

Sound
Non-diegetic sound is used to create tension by using music in the background. This represents the emotions that the characters are feeling. The music also fits in with the scene because it is fast paced, just like the character’s heartbeats. Synchronous sounds such as panting and shouting are used because they fit in with the scene and the emotions. These emotions show that the immigrants are very worried for what will happen and once again show that they are not the antagonists. Dialogue is used for diegetic sound. This represents ethnicity as one of the immigrants addresses that he "wasn't always a cleaner" while he is saving another worker. This shows that he is very skilled but will not be accepted just because he is black.


General
The immigration team suddenly appear in the lobby and they storm through dressed up with stern faces, this can signify that they are the antagonist and they are a danger towards the immigrants. This shows that they have a lot more status than the immigrants, and that they want to challenge them. The viewer can then clearly see who the protagonist is. This is the lady who gathers all the immigrants to keep them safe and you can see that she does her best. You can also see that none of the immigrants mean any harm because they all help each other out, but can sadly not save the cleaner.