Cinematography is used to construct common and subverted representations of ethnicity in this extract.  The opening  zoom shot on a microphone is used to draw the audience’s attention to everything that is not only seen but said.  This could connote that people make assumptions about ethnicity and some of them are challenged in this extract, therefore the audience have to listen and not just see.

The use of composition and what is in focus allows audiences to identify key elements of mise-en-scene.  In a mid-shot, British soldiers are in focus and presented as covertly operating in the background which could be a political message reinforcing the idea that Britain polices other countries’ problems. A long shot of foreign men, possibly Arabian or African, pushing a car highlights that they (the enemy) are undeveloped in terms of technology which also reinforces the idea that British culture is more advanced than others.  This juxtaposes the shot of soldiers who have high tech equipment and later board a helicopter to launch an assault.

A low angle shot of the female prisoners drinking water whilst being watched by a black boy subverts the idea that white people or foreigners are often the ones delivering aid, which subverts Alvarado’s idea that people of different ethnicity are often pitied.  The reverse, medium close-up highlights the western women’s vulnerability which supports a common stereotype that women need protecting from foreign men. However, the arrival of a white terrorist leader (a central focal point in a long and medium shot) also subverts the idea that white British people are usually the victims of terrorism or victims of crimes committed by ethnic minorities.  This is also highlighted as he comes down to their level (eye level shot) but stands and moves away out of frame, highlighting that he sees himself above his own type/race.

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Later in the scene, close ups are used to show that the women are trying to manipulate the young boy into freeing them which supports the idea that young people from other cultures are vulnerable, uneducated and need guidance and support.  However, through a low angle shot reverse shot we can see that the boy is maintaining power over the women and not prepared to reason with them, which supports the idea that other cultures are dangerous, not listening to what is being said to them, challenging the dominant hegemonic western values.  When he discovers their identity, the leader promotes him to a soldier (shown through a medium close up), essentially ending his childhood.  The angle of the camera remains at eye level on him like the rest of the men in scene.  His transition if further heightened through a close up of his face and the over the shoulder shot of the gun, signalling his transition into a violent youth, conforming to a stereotype black youths and gun crime.  This is developed further when we see the aftermath of the execution through a POV shot as Georgie tries to save the female victim, and his isolation in a mid-shot as the remaining terrorists walk out of the frame, suggesting that he has thrown away an opportunity to help which supports the stereotype that people from minority ethnic groups do not contribute positively to society.

The soldiers are typically presented in long shots and two shots, so it is hard to determine their race or culture other than by their accents (dialogue) which are either very classic or cockney in their tone and nature, to affirm that they are perhaps the heroes or liberators; long shots also show a variety of mise-en-scene through their use of technology and weapons (and that fact that they look more active and larger in number).  The use of long shots and mid shots also highlights their team work and supports the ideology that Britain is united. 

In contrast to this, the 3/4 shot of the white leader of the terrorist group, who have captured Georgie, shows him to be less active than his British counterparts yet he is in control over an army of mixed nationalities; this could support the idea that British people are multi-cultural and integrate well into society (post colonialism), however it could also support the idea that people from other cultures are easily led by dominant groups.  The mission of the army is to break down this group, shown through a range of long shots preparing to engage battle, hence the British are fighting an ethnic group brought together by a conflicting ideology which does not meet British values.

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Remember, each shot counts and is significant.  There is much more that can be said and you could probably argue for or against the above, as long as you use evidence.