1. Contrast Between “False Idyll” and Reality

Pastel resort tones (soft turquoise, cream, lavender) to mimic the glossy, commercial aesthetic of the “American dream” sold by maternity hotels.

Abrupt shift to cold, unnatural hues (steel blue, sterile white) when ICE appears—visually shattering the illusion.

This approach underscores the theme of commodified citizenship and the fragility of promises made to birth tourism participants.

2. Chromatic Isolation Through Monochrome

Dominant beige-gray palette in hotel interiors—reflecting anonymity, transience, and the invisibility of immigrant women in a foreign land.

A single accent color (e.g., red—a culturally resonant Chinese hue, or flesh-toned pink symbolizing pregnancy) to isolate the protagonist visually and emphasize her vulnerability.

3. Warm vs. Cold as a Metaphor for Belonging

Warm, saturated tones (golden hour light, terracotta) in flashbacks or daydreams about the child’s future U.S. citizenship.

Cool, desaturated shades (concrete gray, institutional blue) during chase and escape sequences.

This contrast externalizes the protagonist’s inner conflict between hope and fear.

4. “Non-Resort” Authenticity

Since real maternity hotels in Southern California are often ordinary suburban houses (in areas like Rowland Heights or Chino Hills) repurposed for temporary stays, an authentic palette might include:

• Faded 1990s wallpaper
• Mismatched furniture colors
• Harsh fluorescent lighting in hallways

This mundane aesthetic would heighten the dissonance between the marketed “resort” fantasy and the stark reality—reinforcing the film’s critique of birth tourism as a transactional, emotionally isolating experience.