Deradicalism, Nationalism, and Media Studies: A Study within the Film Rumah Merah Putih

The study of Indonesian films that depict and portray nationalism is a compelling and thought-provoking issue to be brought to advanced discussions in current media studies. Waves of extreme radicalism happening in Indonesia has become one of the factors behind the act of various media to critique the issue stated beforehand. Among the media is the film Rumah Merah Putih. This film demonstrates love and compassion for the homeland. Within this film, there is a scene that was inspired by the incident of Johannes Adekalla who climbed a flagpole during the commemoration of the 73rd Indonesian Independence Day at Atambua, Belu, Nusa Tenggara Timur in 2018. The context within the film becomes a strong motive in forming critiques and criticism, both artistically and aesthetically. The research question then becomes what issues are being criticized in the film and how did the film delivers its criticism to the wide audience. In line with this, the analysis of culture and society becomes a critical and crucial aspect of deconstructing and identifying the meaning of the film. Text and context analysis within the film will be studied using Sven Windhal and Denis McQuail's communication model (1982). Thus, the hidden and implicit ideology buried within the visual wrap of the film Rumah Merah Putih will be revealed and studied critically.