An Analysis of Malay Feminism in the Character of Maria in the Film “Jangan Panggil Mama Kafir”

Abstract

This study aims to examine the struggle of interfaith women through a feminist perspective on the character of Maria in the film Jangan Panggil Mama Kafir. The main focus of the study is to deconstruct the patriarchal culture represented in the film, especially through binary oppositions such as male/female, majority/minority, and "believer/infidel" which place women in a subordinate position, the form of oppression experienced by the character of Maria as an interfaith woman and the representation of Maria's feminist struggle in facing social and religious stigma. The method used is descriptive qualitative research with data collection techniques in the form of audiovisual observation and documentation studies. Data analysis was carried out using Roland Barthes' semiotic approach associated with feminist theory, as well as a deconstruction approach to dismantle and reverse the dominant hierarchy of meaning about the form of oppression experienced by the character of Maria as an interfaith woman and how the representation of Maria's feminist struggle in facing social and religious stigma. The results of the study show that the character of Maria represents a form of feminist struggle that is non-confrontational, namely through identity negotiation, mental resilience, and the practice of compassion.