The mise-en-scene is heavily relied on in this scene. The way the conference room is set up, it being a cramped dimly lit space creates a contrast with the pristine, glossy almost espresso cup that was made the main focal point of the scene. What I really thought this scene was communicating was that the cup represented the egos and the fragile hierarchy of dominance that looms over any Hollywood decision. The situation itself seems so abrupt and almost bizarre because this put together figure is spitting out, almost disgustingly, the espresso he’s drinking. It is trying to reflect the absurdity of how small moments, like tasting perhaps nasty espresso, might carry a ton of emotional decision making weight. 

The cinematography in this scene helps reinforce the tension. Using close ups and cut shots of the actors’ faces and the espresso cup, makes the tasting somewhat suspenseful. And once the taste of the espresso happens then cutting from all the reactions of either wide eyes, terrified faces, and motionless helps emphasize this fragile, egg shell hierarchy. Finally the sound in this scene plays a big role as well because the room is nearly silent besides a silent hum in the air; everyone is waiting for this executive to take a sip. Once again feeling the power dynamic in the room which is again emphasized once he sips out the coffee. The forceful and loud rejection of this coffee is only important because this man is. And with everyone in the room knowing this, him having such a volatile or exaggerated reaction was an appearance of domination. Using the previous silence and anticipation and ultimately his reaction to embarrass and humiliate the people who out sourced the coffee. 

In this scene the way sound is used helps not only progress it along but also makes reference to previous scenes. Red, Adelaide’s tether, as she approaches the house is heard whistling the same tune that younger Adelaide was whistling in the beginning of the movie. This was Red’s supposed call back to Adelaide to almost clue her in on who was coming. The sound in this scene does not make a direct comment on the lack of resources available but it plays a role in how Adelaide is set up to have a conversation about her past and hear how they are essentially the same person. The use of music throughout the whole scene with its different swells in the choral music, as well as, the sound when Red removes her hand from the scissors to tell the family to be seated helps create suspense and a heaviness that is too come. 

The mis-en-scene in this scene is what really encapsulates the very commentary the movie was made to make. There are varying aspects that can be dissected from this scene but there are a couple, specifically about Gerg, that help start or build this conversation surrounding white supremacy and resources. In the beginning of the scene when Gerg goes to initial talk with the Tethered he not only uses this white suburban dad voice but he is also in this Howard, the historically black university, sweater. The way he is speaking and his sweater helps establish that he is essentially conforming to the ideal of what White America has deemed as acceptable. Like he has had the chance to get a higher education and make it into a nice socioeconomic standing and the only way he learned to maneuver through those spaces was by conforming and changing himself to fit those molds. So when approached throughout this film with situations, like a “break in”, he tries to use those tactics he has seen and learned like throwing money at the Tethered to deal but ultimately they never work. 

In this scene the use of mis-en-scene helps highlight the illusion and fragility of social mobility for the Kim Family. Throughout the film when at the Park’s home the lights are always bright and almost giving off this purity to it. But as the Kim Family grew more comfortable in the home it grew dimmer. I would like to also mention it is because of a thunderstorm which always plays a role to disillusion this family. But the use of these elements allow you to think like the family is out of place of sorts. And because they grew comfortable in this home we as an audience because we have identified with them have grown comfortable too but we know we don’t belong here. That is where the thunder storm comes in and disillusions us to say, “hey you belong here” because that causes the Park family to come back home, sending the Kim’s into a frantic state. 

The use of food in this scene also highlights this class disparity that is being communicated. The Kim Family is overindulging in all of these expensive foods and alcohol. Ki-taek pours a little of the whiskey into everyone’s glass but Ki-woo picks up a different bottle and says “ Dad! Let me add another to the mix!” Showing that now that they have their hands on things they could only dream about they must get as much of it as possible. This mindset is common amongst lower class people because of the scarcity of resources. And even though they are trying to pose as a rich family their poor tendencies still shine through.