Body Size on Cinema: A Critical Discourse Analysis on Contemporary Indonesian Cinema

Abstract

This article discusses how a fat body in a film is used as a metaphor for a deviant, dangerous, and irresponsible personality through the various narratives occupied by the characters in the film. This research is qualitative research with the main data source is Imperfect film released in 2020. The approach used is a combination of film studies and Sara Mills' critical discourse analysis. The results of the study show that although Imperfect promotes gender equality in society, the narrative that is built still position fat bodies and black skin as non-ideal, especially for woman. Furthermore, Imperfect film positions fat women as a subculture group that struggles as well as agents of change. In conclusion, this study provides an understanding of how the cinematic discourse on size and weight in the context of the structure of the wider community is related to gender issues and films as popular media still have not placed a positive side on weight and skin color, especially in Indonesian society.