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International Review of Humanities Studies

International Review of Humanities Studies

Abstract

The discourse of the male gaze in popular culture constructs ideal standards of femininity deemed attractive based on traits and physical appearances that are desired by men. The film Bambang (2022) is an example of media that employs the male gaze as an exclusive tool to present female characters. By applying the mise-en-scène analysis method in film studies, this article explores the problem of female characters representation that is reduced to be desired objects through the concepts of Laura Mulvey's male gaze and Lacanian objet petit a. This article finds that Bambang (2022) utilizes objectifying dialogue by the two main male characters to present and represent the female characters, while intended to create a humorous effect. The female characters are evaluated based on their appearances, regarded as “leftovers” to be contested, and depicted as objects of sexual desire for men. Although the female characters hold crucial roles in the story, their identities can only be imagined based on what the male characters describe. Despite their absence, they remain as desired objects for the male characters.

Bahasa Abstract

Diskursus tentang male gaze (tatapan maskulin) dalam budaya populer mengkonstruksi standar ideal feminitas yang dianggap menarik berdasarkan perilaku dan penampilan fisik yang didambakan maskulin. Film Bambang (2022) adalah salah satu contoh media yang menggunakan tatapan maskulin sebagai satu-satunya alat untuk menampilkan karakter perempuan. Dengan menggunakan metode analisis mise-en-scène dalam studi film, artikel ini mengulas pertanyaan tentang representasi karakter perempuan yang direduksi menjadi objek yang didambakan (desired object) melalui konsep Laura Mulvey tentang male gaze dan Lacan tentang objet petit a. Artikel ini berargumen film Bambang (2022) menggunakan dialog yang mengobjektifikasi oleh dua karakter utama laki-laki untuk menghadirkan dan merepresentasikan karakter perempuan, sekaligus menciptakan efek humor. Karakter perempuan dinilai berdasarkan penampilan mereka, diibaratkan sebagai “barang bekas” yang diperebutkan, dan ditampilkan sebagai objek yang menimbulkan hasrat seksual bagi laki-laki. Meskipun karakter perempuan memegang peran kunci dalam cerita, identitas mereka hanya dapat dibayangkan berdasarkan deskripsi oleh karakter laki-laki. Absennya karakter perempuan di layar tidak membuat mereka berhenti sebagai objek yang didambakan karakter laki-kaki.

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