Although the clip generally conforms with the stereotype of ethnicity, certain aspects do challenge the stereotype.
Ethnicity is represented using camera shots, angles, movement and composition. At the beginning a high angle is used showing that the black man is lower, therefore lower status than the white men.
Another technique used is a tilt up. This is used when the black immigrant, Adam, shows his knowledge in health and medicine. The higher status woman looks up at him shocked. This conforms with the stereotype that the immigrant is assumed to only be knowledgeable of cleaning and other lower class jobs. However he goes against the stereotype as he saves the women with his knowledge of health and medicine that a high class doctor would have.
An example of hegemony is when the high class white woman clicks her fingers and then a panning shot is used to show us the ethnic waiter she was aiming it to. This shows that she is in charge and above him which conforms the stereotype.
Editing also helps construct the representation of ethnicity. An eye-line match is used when the immigration police walk in and look at the receptionist. Their hard stares show their equal power. They both stand proud with stern glares showing equal status.
Fast pace editing is used when the immigration police are searching for the immigrants. This shows the desperation from both sides. The police are in a rush to catch the immigrants, whereas the immigrants are rushing to hide, desperate to stay in the country.
Mise en Scene is also used to construct the representation of ethnicity. The main aspect that shows how the representation conforms with the stereotype of ethnicity is the fact that the immigrants all have lower class jobs such as cleaners and waiters. They are all wearing matching uniform which represents a prison like environment.
When the immigrants are eating lunch, a panning shot is used to show that the people from the same ethnic backgrounds were sitting together. This conforms with the stereotype that each ethnicity keep to their own. One aspect in this scene that goes against the stereotype is when the black man tells the woman to wait until he is ready before she eats. This shows that he has power and control.
Another technique is binary opposition. The conflict between the immigration police and the immigrants is the main aspect of this clip. This conforms with the stereotype as the division and tension between the ethnicity's shows the difference in class and power.
Sound represents ethnicity conform with the stereotype. For example, at lunch all of the immigrants are talking in their own language which shows their separation from the rest of the people.
Non-diegetic music is used when an immigrant is caught. This shows sadness and how serious the situation is. I think this also shows his desperation to stay in this country.
Dialogue is also used to show the difference between different ethnicity's. The white woman refers to a black colleague as having a "brain like a sieve". This is her trying to convince the police that she is on their side and is against the immigrants. She puts him down, showing her power and higher class.
