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

摘要

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.