UNVEILING JAVANESE WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN INDONESIAN CINEMA: SEMIOTIC INSIGHTS FROM BUDI PEKERTI

Abstract

This study investigates the representation of Javanese women in Indonesian cinema through a semiotic analysis of Bu Prani, one of the central characters in Budi Pekerti. By examining mise-en-scène elements, the research seeks to reveal how the film constructs the image of modern Javanese women and how their identities are negotiated within cultural and social contexts. Particular attention is given to the dual roles women embody, as they are simultaneously situated within the private domestic sphere and the public professional domain. The analysis is guided by Roland Barthes’ semiotic framework, which unpacks meaning on three levels: denotation, connotation, and myth. At the denotative level, the study identifies how the film presents visual and narrative elements; at the connotative level, it interprets the cultural codes and ideological messages underlying these depictions; and at the mythic level, it situates the representations within broader discourses of tradition, gender, and modernity. This methodological approach provides a comprehensive understanding of how cultural and gender identities are mediated through cinematic texts. Findings reveal that traditional Javanese values continue to influence expectations of women, particularly regarding their appearance, demeanor, and moral conduct. Yet, the narrative also highlights tensions brought by modernity and the digital era, in which women face increasing demands for independence, professional achievement, and active social participation. These overlapping pressures demonstrate how Javanese women must continuously navigate between preserving cultural heritage and adapting to contemporary realities. The study concludes that modern Javanese women occupy a space of negotiation where tradition and modernity intersect. By analyzing Bu Prani as a case study, this research underscores the nuanced ways gender and culture are represented in Indonesian film and offers broader insights into the politics of representation in Southeast Asian media.