Kanal : Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi
Vol. 15 No. 1 (2026): September

Representations of Indonesia in Dutch Cinema: Media Analysis of the Films De Oost, Gordel van Smaragd, and Oeroeg: Representations of Indonesia in Dutch Cinema: Media Analysis of the Films De Oost, Gordel van Smaragd, and Oeroeg

Danil Kasputra (Universitas Telkom)
Alila Pramiyanti (Departement of ommunication Science, Telkom University, Indonesia)
Betty Tresnawaty (Faculty of Dakwah and Communicationt, Sunan Gunung Djati State Islamic University of Bandung, Indonesia)
Maylanny Christin (Departement of ommunication Science, Telkom University, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Sep 2026

Abstract

In the modern era, film has become a medium for cultural communication in creating public understanding of history and collective memory. Within the framework of Dutch-Indonesian relations, colonial and post-colonial films not only attempt to show the past, but also become a place for negotiating meanings related to colonialism, violence and national identity. This study seeks to understand how Indonesia and Dutch colonialism are represented in three Dutch films, namely Gordel van Smaragd, Oeroeg and De Oost, and how the representations in these three films serve to frame colonial memory in the public sphere. This study uses a qualitative approach with a comparative media analysis design. The analysis is based on Stuart Hall's framework of representation, supplemented by visual semiotics and postcolonial discourse analysis. Various data are analysed through the identification of narratives, characters, visuals, and storytelling structures in the three films to reveal patterns of representation. The results of the study show that the three Dutch films consistently focus the narrative perspective on the experiences of Dutch characters. Gordel van Smarang frames colonialism with imperial nostalgia that normalises colonial life. Meanwhile, the film Oeroeg attempts to reflect on the post-colonial situation in a more critical manner, although it still limits itself to the moral dilemmas of Dutch characters. 

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Journal Info

Abbrev

kanal

Publisher

Subject

Social Sciences

Description

Aim: to facilitate scholar, researchers, and teachers for publishing the original articles of review articles. Scope: Communication Science include: Interpersonal Communication Mass Communication Politics Communication Development Communication Communication Media Culture Communication Business ...