TRANSWOMAN MOTHERHOOD: ANALYZING FILM DIE BEAUTIFUL WITHIN BUTLER’S GENDER PERFORMATIVITY THEORY

Authors

June Louie A. Flores, Southeast Asian Studies Program, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas IndonesiaFollow
Mina Elfira, Southeast Asian Studies Program, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas IndonesiaFollow

Abstract

This study explores the representation and construction of gender identity and motherhood of transgender women within the Philippine society, focusing on Jun R. Lana’s 2016 film, Die Beautiful. Recognizing the increasing visibility of the queer community in media and social discourse, the research aims to analyze how the film reflects and challenges the binary construction of gender and societal gender norms using the theory of gender performativity by Judith Butler from her book Gender Trouble. Employing a qualitative content analysis approach, specifically the conventional method, selected scenes were examined to identify instances of gender performance and explore how social expectations influence gender identity and expression. The findings suggest that Die Beautiful strongly exemplifies gender as performative, highlighting that identity is constructed through repeated actions and social influences rather than innate traits. The film’s nuanced portrayal of transgender individuals’ struggles and self-expression contributes to a small theoretical framework that affirms gender performativity as a means to challenge binary notions and promote inclusivity within the Philippine culture.

Bahasa Abstract

Studi ini mengeksplorasi representasi dan konstruksi identitas gender dan peran ibu bagi perempuan transgender dalam masyarakat Filipina, dengan fokus pada film Die Beautiful karya Jun R. Lana yang dirilis pada tahun 2016. Menyadari semakin terlihatnya komunitas queer di media dan wacana sosial, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis bagaimana film tersebut merefleksikan dan menantang konstruksi biner gender dan norma-norma gender dalam masyarakat dengan menggunakan teori performativitas gender karya Judith Butler dari bukunya Gender Trouble. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan analisis konten kualitatif, khususnya metode konvensional, beberapa adegan terpilih dikaji untuk mengidentifikasi contoh performativitas gender dan mengeksplorasi bagaimana ekspektasi sosial memengaruhi identitas dan ekspresi gender. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Die Beautiful secara kuat menggambarkan gender sebagai sesuatu yang performatif, menekankan bahwa identitas dibangun melalui tindakan berulang dan pengaruh sosial, alih-alih melalui sifat bawaan. Penggambaran film yang bernuansa tentang perjuangan dan ekspresi diri individu transgender berkontribusi pada kerangka teoritis kecil yang menegaskan performativitas gender sebagai sarana untuk menantang gagasan biner dan mendorong inklusivitas dalam budaya Filipina.

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Recommended Citation

Flores, June Louie A. and Elfira, Mina (2026) "TRANSWOMAN MOTHERHOOD: ANALYZING FILM DIE BEAUTIFUL WITHIN BUTLER’S GENDER PERFORMATIVITY THEORY," International Review of Humanities Studies: Vol. 11: No. 1, Article 4.
DOI: 10.7454/irhs.v11i1.1429
Available at: https://scholarhub.ui.ac.id/irhs/vol11/iss1/4