Hotel Babylon 2

Improved Essay

The editing in this clip is very simple. This is because they do not use very many techniques and it is all very basic. This could be used to signify the lack of that the immigrants have as a stereotype. The first shot is a short reverse shot; this is used when the character is shown to be looking back at the police. An establishing shot is then used in the first 30 seconds to show the audience whereabouts the character going, this helps build suspense. This makes the audience feel like they are in the same situation and builds up tension. Because the police are in the clip and are shown to be hunting for someone, this can imply a lot. Alvardo's theory says that ethnic groups can be seen as dangerous and this is shown in this clip because the police are after them. This is very stereotypical but also it is the dominant ideology as it’s the ‘mainstream’ idea.

In this clip there are a lot of different ethnicities. An example of this is the kitchen staff as they are all from different backgrounds but everyone assumes that they are all the 'same' just because they are immigrants. A theory from Leon Festinger can be used to back this up. This is that the audience will not change their attitudes unless faced with overwhelming evidence of immigrants. The stereotype is that any ethnicity other than the ones that we are, are discriminated against. The director has done this to reflect the harsh truth and to hopefully get the audience to change some of their views. The director has done this in a good way because it is very realistic and lots of viewers will be able to relate. And when you can relate, you will know you need to make a change.

Fast Paced editing is used to show the immigrants rushing around the hotel. This shows the audience the panic they are going through; it puts the audience in their shoes. Lots of non-diegetic sound is used as music in the background which helps build tension. It represents their emotions as it is fast paced and could represent their hearts beating. Tracking shots are used to follow this sequence. This also signifies that the immigrants have no high power in society just because they are different ethnicities. Whereas in the hotel lobby, it is all peace and calm; just because they are from a different ethnic background. This is mainly aimed at white people who do not get discriminated as often as other backgrounds.

A close up shot of the immigrants is used when they are all crammed in the cupboard. It brings a sense of community as they are all trying to help each other out. The most powerful message came across when an immigrant used dialogue to say that he ‘wasn’t always a cleaner’. This is because he is shown to be helping a friend out. It shows that he is highly skilled, yet he is still getting discriminated against and seen as low skilled. The director used this to establish that they are not what we think they are and tried to add a sense of realism to it. The director also did this to try and stop with the stereotypes and try to stop xenophobia from the audience.

But, the white immigration team are storming around the hotel lobby with stern faces. A tracking shot is used to follow this and it can signify that they are the antagonist as they are a danger to other human beings. This is breaking the stereotype as usually the white people are the protagonists. But, it shows that they have a lot more status than the immigrants and that they are more important. But, the director has tried to make the audience feel sympathy for the immigrants and tried to make them change views for immigrants and stereotypes overall.  Once the team capture at least one of the immigrants, they leave. This is because they only needed someone to bring back to their boss. This makes the audience feel as if the team have some feelings for the immigrants as they do not want to take them away, but they have to. This could be seen as unconventional as usually white people do not want any immigrants at all.