Hotel
Babylon Extract
Throughout the extract, there are many scenes that construct
the representation of ethnicity. This is done through camera shots, angles,
movement and composition as well as mise-en-scene, editing and sound. There are
also scenes that take note of Barthe’s Narrative Codes.
Throughout the first scene there are many shots that
reference Barthe’s Narrative Codes. Particularly through the mise-en-scene,
depicting a semic code. I believe this is used to allow the audience to
understand that due to the fact that the man that the police are talking to is
in a suit that he is of power and is the manager or head of the hotel. This is
a stereotype that the white man in the suit has all the power, with a
high-paying job as well as high status.
Sound is also used to construct the representation of
ethnicity. This is shown when all of the different immigrants of different
ethnicities speak in their own ethnic tongue at the same time completely
panicked. This is also shown through action code and enigma code. This is
because some of the immigrants are hidden but you can hear them as we know that
the room is a tightly packed space. The sound is also shown through music as it
is fast, chaotic and tense to reflect the scene itself. This underlines the
stereotype of tensions between ethnicities.
The action code is also used to show a black man helping a
woman who faints. Showing a countertype to the fact that stereotypically black
males are not usually depicted as helpful, they are portrayed as being on the
wrong side of the law.
Ethnicity is also highlighted through the camerawork. Particularly
camera shots, angles and movements. This is reflected when the camera pans up
and reveals a black male cleaner making him appear to be bad and overpowering us
as he is looking down on us. It is stereotypical that the ethnicity of the man
is black as he is then arrested by policemen.
EAA = 12
ReplyDeleteEG = 10
T = 5
TOTAL = 27
You are applying Barthes' narrative codes tp the extract, and using them to add an analytical tone to your work, well done.
EBI: this response needs more detail. You need more information on camera work, mise-en-scene and editing in particular. At times, you focus on the code, rather than the technique. You need both pieces of information. e.g. when you describe the action code of the female fainting, you miss the opportunity to mention what sort of camera shot is used to capture this moment, and how that might affect the audience. Why might it be a stereotypical representation of ethnicity when the black character is arrested? You need to explain this further - do not assume the examiner knows the stereotypes.