"Hotel Babylon" - Homework Essay

 Equivalent to 3 pages in my handwriting.

---

In the TV drama Hotel Babylon, meaning is created through representation of race and ethnicity, social class, and, to some extent, disability. The clip explores the vulnerability and marginalisation of immigrant workers, particularly Black characters, highlighting how they are both relied upon and dehumanised within a capitalist, class-based system. One Black man is taken by immigration services while another, moments earlier, heroically saves a diabetic white woman—an act that subverts stereotypes and invites the audience to question assumptions about race and worth. This juxtaposition builds a powerful commentary on how people of colour, especially immigrants, are often seen as disposable despite their contributions. The theme of social class is reinforced by the contrast between the working-class staff, who are emotionally devastated, and the rest of the hotel, which continues functioning as if nothing happened. Identity is complicated; everyone's got one. David Gauntlett’s identity theory suggests that media texts provide audiences with resources to construct their own identities; here, viewers may relate to the characters' feelings of exclusion or injustice. Stuart Hall’s reception theory is also relevant, as audiences may interpret the scene differently based on their own background: a preferred reading might sympathise with the immigrants, while a rejected reading may support the actions of immigration officers. Together, these elements create complex layers of meaning around identity, power, and social inequality. 

One of the most striking ways Hotel Babylon creates meaning is through its use of camera techniques to reinforce racial inequality and emotional isolation. A mid-shot framed through blurry bars or cage-like structures draws visual attention to the way illegal immigrant workers, most of whom are people of colour, are metaphorically and physically trapped. The visual motif to partially obscure the immigrants with this “cage” effect reinforces the notion that they are viewed as prisoners or criminals by society, despite being ordinary workers. This image powerfully supports the idea that racial identity plays a significant role in how people are treated by institutions such as immigration enforcement. Camera work is also used in the cafeteria scene, where a mid-shot, pans to, and isolates the two Black characters from the rest of the hotel staff. While everyone else carries on eating, these two sit in silence at a table, clearly affected by the trauma of their colleague being taken. This deliberate composition visually separates them from the group, reinforcing their emotional and racial isolation. It also reflects how people of colour are often left to carry the weight of traumatic events while others can move on with ease. 

Editing further builds on the theme of social class and power imbalance. During the sequence where Jackie attempts to reason with immigration officers, fast-paced cuts are used to increase tension and highlight the divide between the powerless and the powerful. Jackie, representing the working class, is emotional and desperate, while the officers remain stern and unmovable. This contrast in attitude is emphasised through the editing rhythm, revealing how working-class individuals, especially women and people of colour, are often dismissed or unheard when facing institutional authority. Furthermore, mise-en-scène plays a crucial role in reinforcing class divisions. The staff room, where the immigrants hide, is portrayed with dull colours, plain walls, and cramped space. This visually contrasts with the elegance of the hotel lobby, where wealthy guests reside. By placing the immigrants in a dark, uncomfortable setting, the show comments on the way working-class labour is hidden and undervalued despite being essential to the running of the hotel. This contrast in setting contributes to the theme of exploitation and invisibility among immigrant workers. 

The discovery of a childhood photo in the detained man’s locker is a poignant moment that subverts stereotypes. This use of mise-en-scène humanises him, showing that he was once an innocent child like anyone else. It supports David Gauntlett’s identity theory by offering the audience a more complex and empathetic portrayal of an immigrant; one that encourages viewers to relate and perhaps question the dominant narrative around illegality and immigration. For some audiences, this may evoke a negotiated or rejected reading, as described in Stuart Hall’s reception theory, depending on their social and ideological background. 

Audio also plays a vital role in conveying meaning, particularly through the use of silence. In the cafeteria scene, the near-complete lack of dialogue between the two Black characters, contrasted with the ambient clatter of others eating, draws attention to their grief and alienation. This sound design creates a dissonance that emphasises how racial trauma lingers quietly beneath the surface, unnoticed by the majority. Music and sound effects also help underline emotional shifts. When the man is taken by immigration officers, the music increased in pace, building suspension, and creating an emotional vacuum when it slows down immediately after. This audio technique captures the weight of the moment, reinforcing both the powerlessness of the staff and the brutality of the authorities. It also mirrors the sudden silence often found in real-life institutional injustice. 

Finally, the lighting in scenes involving immigration is harsh and cold. This cold light reflects the dehumanising nature of the operation, making the officers appear more mechanical and unfeeling. In contrast, other parts of the hotel use warm, golden lighting, especially in guest areas. This creates a stark contrast between comfort and cruelty, visually reinforcing the unequal experiences of those with power and those without. 

Together, these technical elements work cohesively to build a powerful critique of how society treats race, class, and power. Through its thoughtful use of camera, editing, mise-en-scène, sound, and lighting, Hotel Babylon challenges the viewer to consider who is seen, who is silenced, and who is sacrificed in the name of social order.