Representation of Ethnicity: Hotel Babylon

Representation of ‘Ethnicity’ in ‘Hotel Babylon’

Brett Moore; BrettMooreG322

Ethnicity is represented in a variety of different manners from the onset and throughout in this clip from hit television drama ‘Hotel Babylon’, invariably so from the establishing shot.

The establishing shot details a white male character wearing a suit and later in the scene two –again- white police officers are also shown. The very nature of the characters including their attire and apparent stature accentuates this clips continual portrayal of ethnically based hierarchy’s with white characters seemingly at the highest point in said hierarchy, with each of the three characters expressing power-respectively- through mis-en-scene. Despite the use of mis-en-scene however the scenes prominent use of camera work exceptionally shows the representation of ethnicity in this scene. Firstly a head shot is used which allows for the facial expressions to be magnified. This is vital because the shot shows the white male character looking down, which connotatively could suggest the white ethnic power at the for-front of this clip; as  someone with power is often said to be someone of whom looks down upon those with much less superiority in situ thus representing ethnicity. In addition as the shot evolves, the camera zooms and pans around the room – tracking- and displays the entire mis-en-scene and sets the tone for the rest of the extract in that an industrious picture is presented, which may cause the viewers to paint a stereotypical view of the ethnic groups of which may work in said settings thus foreshadowing later scenes. Once more the diegetic sound of movement and footsteps in the same scene builds tension and foreshadows the later events of the clip.

The very next scene is particularly interesting in terms of the mis-en-scene notably the character attires. The scene shows two female characters standing behind a desk in a receptionist’s role however the interest in the scene comes in through the outfits the characters are wearing. The white female character is wearing a white dress. White can be related to innocence, peacefulness and purity. The Asian female character however his depicted in black a colour representational of negativity or impurity thus suggesting that this clip is further implementing a white supremacist notion in that any other ethnicity is indubitably impure.

Later in the same scene three white male characters of whom are wearing suits much like the very first white male in the establishing shot, are presented further signifying the authoritarian power that surrounds a lot of the white, English characters in this clip. Slow paced editing as well as a tracking shot are also in use at this point, thus adding tension and emphasising the sheer power the prominent white male character exerts in the scene. This is also accentuated by the use of non-diegetic sound of atmospheric music as the music signifies the reoccurring theme of power.

The next scene uses a POV – point of view - shot very effectively picturing the ‘immigrants’ through a metal gate. This is a powerful image as it depicts the immigrant workers being chaperoned almost single file into a store cupboard, of which may lead many of the viewers to draw reference to many historical dictatorships that enforced such cruel acts upon perceptually less ethnic groups. The gate itself may resemble that of an ‘iron curtain’ of which is also synonymous with dictatorships and a controlled society in which those deemed to be below the highest power are treated in a manner that completely contradicts that of those who follow the expected patterns. In this instance therefore it is presented in manner that details the white male immigration officers being the dictators of a cruel and ethically unjust system that seems to prey on opposing ethnic groups. In addition the scene shows fast pace editing, effective in portraying the angst felt by the immigrant workers in knowing of the fate they may ensue should the immigration officers discover them.  Furthermore the low key lighting leads the picture to be dull and unsatisfying. This dullness is matched by the simplistic nature of the workers clothing potentially signifying the insignificance of the immigrants, in that they just blend in to the mis-en-scene whereas the white, English characters for example are presented in attire that makes them stand out, and are instantly recognisable within scenes unlike the immigrant workers.

The following scene depicts the immigrant workers within the small cupboard with low key lighting to suit the dark meaningful purpose of the acts. A wide shot is used to accentuate the vast amount of immigrant workers within Hotel Babylon of which is particularly poignant because despite the population density of immigrants here, still the white, English immigration officers and figure heads, instantaneously have a hold over such a vast amount of immigrants pictured, further signifying the clips depiction of white power and ethnic dictatorship over all others.

Therefore in conclusion the representation of ethnicity in the ‘Hotel Babylon’ scene is one the supports a dated thesis that white – in this case English – characters are always in superiority over opposing ethnic groups accentuated by the vast contrasts in attire, portrayal and the stereotypical, low skilled, low paid jobs the immigrant workers are assigned to ultimately constitute to an democratic portrayal and representation of ethnicity.