Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of ethnicity.

In the opening scene of the extract, the camera shot is effective in constructing the representation of ethnicity. Within the first few seconds, the viewer is exposed to a medium long shot of the character. As the policemen arrive, the camera zooms out slightly, and establishes the location and setting for the viewer to take on board. On show are various practical equipment such as cardboard and transportation trollies; this is a cultural code used by Barthe to establish the location as a storage room or warehouse of some sort. The fact that the ethnicity of the person within the confines of that room is white, the viewer can connote this with strength, as this working environment is perceived as a strong, working man’s job. This maintains the common stereotype that white males are strong and can be trusted with jobs within this working environment.

In the following scene, the viewer introduced to a white male, accompanied by other background characters. As the main white male approaches the receptionist’s desk, the viewer is introduced to him through a medium close up shot. This shot enables the viewer to see the character’s facial expressions, and subsequently denote his thoughts and feelings. What the viewer can denote is, through his facial expressions, the attitude towards the minorities he has. From this shot, the viewer can understand that he is a man walking in there with intent, the goal to find or catch the minorities who are perceived as inferiors. This is reflective of the stereotype that white people are in power and authority, and feel as if they have a duty to be in control of minorities.

In the same scene, upon the entrance of the immigration inspector, the camera cuts away to a male of black ethnicity. As the camera is focused on this gentleman, another person walks in the way of the camera, thereby obstructing the view of the black male from the camera and subsequently the viewer. What this suggests is that people of black ethnicity are not worthy of publication and she should be excluded from society, as if they don’t belong in society. Incidentally, when the viewer is eventually introduced to the black male, the camera is placed at a slightly high angle shot, and therefore the viewer is forced to look down on the black male, which is reflective of the stereotype that black people are inferior to their white counterparts.

Finally on the camera and everything it encompasses, later on in the extract two men frantically scurry into the office of the female, whose name I believe to be Jacqui. At this point, camera shows them in medium two shot. One character is black and the other is white. What this camera shot achieves is the successful portrayal of different ethnic groups as equal. With both men, from different ethnic groups in the same position and attempting to achieve a common goal, this goes against the stereotype that black and white people are different.

Another way in which the representation of ethnicity is constructed is through Mise-en-scene. As is previously mentioned in the camera shots sections, scattered around in the opening scene are various pieces of practical equipment. This maintains the common stereotype that white males are strong and can be trusted with jobs within this working environment.

Later on in the extract, the action is shown with an obstructed view due to a railing. This railing is a semic code as it suggests that there is a restricted view, and as such minorities are seen less. This is reflective the stereotype that inferior minorities should be given less exposure within society due to their inferiority in comparison with the white ‘norm,’ so to speak. The railings, or bars, have a prison like feel, which have many connotations and associations. Firstly, the bars can be associated with prison, and as such connoted with crime. Crime is a common stereotype of minorities, and this is in keeping with the stereotype that minorities are criminals, as a result. Also related to railings, is a feeling of being trapped. What the viewer can gather from this is that minorities feel trapped and oppressed within their ethnicity; due to the way they are treated. What this suggests is that people from ethnic groups that aren’t of a white variety wish to be white as they would be treated with more respect, but are trapped and oppressed within their ethnic group.

Another aspect of the mise-en-scene comes immediately after the railings are introduced. As the immigrants frantically scurry to hide from those chasing them, they attempt to open a door. This door however is locked, this is significant in constructing the representation of ethnicity as it is reflective of the obstacles and struggle that minorities have to overcome and go through in society. This is a semic code for those in minority groups being faced with challenges on a day to day basis within a community.

The final aspect of the mise-en-scene that is effective in constructing the representation comes later on in the scene. Upon the frantic frenzy and fiasco cooling somewhat, two people are sat in what we believe to be a canteen, attempting to eat food. In the background is a closed window. I believe this is a deliberate ploy from the director to suggest that these two black people are trapped and feel as if they can’t express themselves in society. This is in keeping with the stereotype that black people are treated as inferior to most people and don’t have much of a say in society.

The editing is another aspect that is successful in constructing the representation of ethnicity. The scene in which the lady collapses is a prime example of how editing can be used successfully for this. Within this scene, there is a lot of fast paced editing, and this, combined with a high cutting rate helps emphasise the frantic nature and the struggle of living life as a minority. This maintains the stereotype that ethnic minorities live in the shadow of the perceived ‘norm’ of white people.

Also encompassed by the topic of editing is the ‘reaction shot.’ This is when the camera cuts back and forth swiftly as to establish the reaction of certain characters to a given situation. In the same scene as described above, reaction shots are used and portray an image of fear on the faces of the minorities. This maintains the stereotype that people that are part of these ethnic groups live in fear of their perceived superiors.

Combined with the aforementioned aspects of camera work, mise-en-scene and editing is sound. Sound is effective in constructing the representation of ethnicity in a similar fashion to that of editing. The non-diegetic music heard as the action unfolds is of a fast pace, which, as mentioned before creates a hurried and frantic pace to the characters; almost as if the minorities feel like they’re being hunted. This is reflective of the stereotype that white people are superior to all other ethnic groups.

However, the music isn’t always this pace and alters quite drastically throughout scenes. In other scenes, the music heard is again non-diegetic, but can be related with adjectives such as gloomy and daunting. This can be connoted as stressful and is reflective of the stereotype that ethnic people that aren’t of a white persuasion live in struggle compared their white counterparts.