" Lisa", an Anomalous Pre-State Ibuism Film, my second virtual conference in COVID19 era

“Women in Indonesian Film and Cinema" : an international virtual conference

Currently, there is a great international virtual conference titled “Women in Indonesian Film and Cinema” happening now. It is still open for video presentation, until the end of the month, just in case any of you have an idea related to topic and want to submit your video presentation (20 minutes duration).

There are several interesting panels, including plenary panel, women’s representation under Patriarchy, Career, Students and Young Filmmakers, History, Documentaries and Webseries, Adaptation, and Works by Female Filmmakers.

Alternatively, you can participate by watching the videos presentation and start the discussion by leaving your questions/comments. Don’t forget to register.
BTW, I also submitted my video presentation at History panel. I am analysing “Lisa”, a 1971 progressive films considered by some film critics as “the first Indonesian horror film”.
Please read the abstract, watch the video, and leave comments/questions.

video presentation: https://kafein.or.id/en/history-panel/

Abstract
Lisa, an Anomalous Pre-State Ibuism Film
Film Critics, Film Scholar, the Film Department, Universitas Bina Nusantara

Mainstream perspectives regarding gender issues, both in popular and scholarly works, underline that generally films in Indonesian New Order (1966-1998) apply State Ibusim theories. On and off-screen, women were marginalized and represented as weak, silent, negative, housewificationed, dan domestificationed. State Ibuism theory was coined by Julia Suryakusuma, formulated based from PKK program (Pembinaan Kesejahteraan Keluarga (Family Welfare Movement), “azas kekeluargaan” (Family Principle), amd and Dharma Wanita (official organization for the wives of civil servants), which were officially issued in 1978. The theory highlight the official attempt of domistification of Indonesian women during New Order era.

However, Lisa (M Syariefuddin A, 1971), produced 7 years before the programs, is an anomalous one. I argue that the film can be read as the window opportunity for producing the progressive film culture. I will answer how different the film with State Ibuism theory by undertaking textual analysis or a close reading of the film. And I will answer why it is different by undertaking New Cinema History approach and highlighting the paradoxes of New Order’s policies.