OCR G322 – HOTEL BABYLONREPRESENTATION OF ETHNICITY

All of the ethnic groups in this clip are placed in the same environment of the hotel but in different locations which could represent their personal differences. An up-tempo, peaceful, non-diegetic sound is used to start of the clip which is also atmospheric as it matches the peaceful location of the swimming area. The two black men in this location aren’t represented typically – during their conversation shot reverse shot is used followed by eye-line match which allows the emotions of both persons to be shown. Benjamin is represented as homosexual through his speech and the emotions shown on his face whilst the other black man is seen as a stereotypical black guy through his diegetic speech mentioning things such as ‘ganja’.

The two foreign women in the clip are shown as a two shot meaning they come together, they are stereotypically cleaners, wearing a pale coloured cleaners dress, which would be the hegemonic view of them – the non-diegetic sound in the scene increases in tempo when the women appear on screen. The foreign women appear quite sneaky and find other ways of earning more money which is what people assume about migrants. The Asian lady appears to be rivalry with the foreign women. Rivalry appears often in the clip between the races for example in the kitchen the Mediterranean chef wearing black clothing and a chef’s hat just like all the other foreign chef’s has tension with the English chef – wearing white clothing and a chef’s hat – shot reverse shot is used during their heated conversation to build up tension which is also done by the volume and tempo increasing of the non-diegetic sound which appears more menacing than the tranquil sound at the beginning of the clip.

Close ups and Long shots are used frequently to be able to show the busy and fast-paced atmosphere which could contribute to representing having all different ethnic groups in that environment. The blonde haired woman and man are represented typically in their black suits and well-spoken speech with close ups to show that they are of high status and the music more grand.

Jump cuts are used between the scenes to show that many things are happening at the hotel but just in different locations.