The Ambivalent Construction of Child Characters’ Subjectivity in Four Indonesian Children’s Films

DOI

10.2991/assehr.k.200325.111How to use a DOI?

Keywords

ambivalence, construction of subjectivity, disciplinary power, Indonesian children’s films, subject position

Abstract

The notion of subjectivity is a concept of personal identity which deals with the self and its relations to the social structures. This study reveals the ambivalent construction of child character’s subjectivity in four Indonesian children’s films: Laskar Pelangi, Serdadu Kumbang, Lima Elang, dan Langit Biru. Employing structuralism approach and system formal analysis from Bordwell and Thompson (2008), it is found that textual structure and narrative strategies positions child characters as subjects, but only under certain conditions: the absence or without the involvement of adult characters, in open space, and group-oriented drives. Further analysis using Foucault’s theory of power and governmentality (1995) found the child character’s subjectivity is generally constructed through discipline in social practices to train children to take cultural aspects deemed important into consideration. Consequently, the constructed subjectivity is submissive children who obey the expected norms, prioritize the group’s interests, and avoid differences. Although the child characters can negotiate position and have literacy skills that can shift the adult’s dominant power temporarily, the two potentials are not strongly emphasized. This construction of superficial subject position yet submissive subjects reveals an ambivalent subjectivity which suggests Indonesian children’s films view children as deficient and so in need of guidance and instruction despite their emotional and intellectual potentials.

Copyright

© 2020, the Authors. Published by Atlantis Press.

Open Access

This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).

Download article (PDF)

TY  - CONF
AU  - Nia Nafisah
AU  - Riris Kusumawati Sarumpaet
AU  - Joesana Tjahjani
PY  - 2020
DA  - 2020/03/31
TI  - The Ambivalent Construction of Child Characters’ Subjectivity in Four Indonesian Children’s Films
BT  - Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Language, Literature, Culture, and Education (ICOLLITE 2019)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 359
EP  - 364
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.200325.111
DO  - 10.2991/assehr.k.200325.111
ID  - Nafisah2020
ER  -