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 mans 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
receptionists desk, the viewer is introduced to him through a medium close up
shot. This shot enables the viewer to see the characters 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 dont 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 arent 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 cant express themselves in society. This is in keeping
with the stereotype that black people are treated as inferior to most people and
dont 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 theyre being
hunted. This is reflective of the stereotype that white people are superior to all
other ethnic groups.

However, the music isnt 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 arent of a
white persuasion live in struggle compared their white counterparts.