Spooks Ethnicity Representation

Camera shots, angles, movement and composition

There was a lot of close up shots in the clip, especially focusing on Danny, the black man. This helps
to create the representation of a stereotypical, strong black man, as it focuses the viewers attention
on to Danny, showing his bravery in the current situation. The fact the camera shakes whilst focused
on Danny, looking at him from perhaps the view of his interrogator shows the tension of the scene,
but the fact Danny is still calm on shot goes further to represent the black ethnicity as one with
fortitude and power.
When the terrorist is shown the camera is looking up at him, showing who has the power in the
situation; this contradicts the earlier ideas of Danny (the black male) being strong, as he doesnt
have the stereotypical power or presence. The fact he is physically strong but doesnt hold any of the
power on screen is created by camerawork, which goes against the ethnic stereotype in one way,
however ethnic minorities are often oppressed, so in a way it also supports the stereotype.
Editing
There were a lot of cuts and shot/reverse shots in the clip, so the camera only viewed Danny or the
terrorist briefly. These constant changes of image on screen help to reinforce ideas, in this case the
bravery of Danny, and the evil of the terrorist (looks to be of middle eastern ethnicity), creating the
stereotypical representation of both of their ethnicities. This being strong and brave, yet somewhat
oppressed in Dannys case whilst being evil or untrustworthy in the case of the middle-eastern
terrorist. When it cuts to the white male crying, however, the shot is a lot longer, which helps
represent the binary opposition between the white ethnicity and the black.
Sound
Throughout the clip the non-diegetic sound/music is often tense, which in turn shows the tension on
screen. As the whole clip takes place between different ethnicities this creates a representation of
the differences between the cultures (white, black, middle-eastern), and ideological differences to
the extent of violence. Whilst it is unclear whether this attack is racially motivated, it is certainly the
stereotype for terrorist attacks on other ethnicities, not their own. Drumming is also repeated
throughout the clip, reinforcing the tension between the different ethnicities.
A muezzin (Islamic call to prayer) can be hard after Danny is shot, which links the attack to the
ethnicities associated with Islam (generally middle-eastern), which reinforces the stereotype that
often middle-eastern ethnicities are involved in terror attacks. Despite Danny being black, he speaks
with Queens English, which is against the stereotype of black people in media.
Mise en Scene
The room the scene is set in has a very gloomy, dark atmosphere, which creates an oppressive feel
to the room, this links in to the whole idea of terrorism and the middle-eastern men being part of it.
In the background, there is man holding a gun dressed in stereotypical Muslim/middle-eastern dress,
once again creating a negative, violent representation of the aforementioned ethnicities. Danny on
the other hand is represented very positively, looking unafraid even when he knows his death is

coming, which gives him a very stalwart representation. The point made by camerawork of him
being oppressed is supported by what is seen on screen, as he is tied to a chair with no power
available to get out.
Dannys serious dress and demeanour, and the situation he is in are all serious, and the fact he is
being interrogated by some kind of villain/terrorist show he is some kind of spy/agent. For a black
male, this is against the stereotype as they are rarely represented as spys or dressed as formally.