Penggambaran Orang Timur dalam Film Kaka Boss

Abstract

The film Kaka Bos presents character portrayals rooted in the protagonists’ geographical and cultural origins specifically Eastern Indonesia. This study aims to explore and articulate how Eastern Indonesian identities are depicted throughout the film. Employing a qualitative research design with a descriptive approach, the analysis adopts Charles Sanders Peirce’s semiotic framework, consisting of the triadic model of sign, object, and interpretant, to examine the symbolic meanings embedded in character behaviour and visual presentation. Grounded in the theory of social reality construction and viewed through a constructivist paradigm, this inquiry deciphers the cultural codes encoded in the film’s narrative. The findings reveal that Eastern characters are portrayed as dominant figures within informal social structures, emphasizing familial bonds, tradition, and courage in the face of adversity. Visual cues such as collar-pulling gestures, shaved heads, and dark skin tones intensify the depiction of strength, loyalty, and honour. The film ultimately crafts social imagery through visual signifiers and a structured cinematic narrative.