ADOLESCENTS’ AWARENESS ON INDONESIAN CULTURE REPRESENTED IN INDONESIAN MOVIES

Abstract

The role of adolescents is highly expected to continue to inherit local culture. It will be a force for the existence of the local culture despite being hit by the currents of globalization. They learn cultures mostly from movies, especially nowadays, where movie platforms are accessible anywhere. This study aims to acknowledge adolescents’ awareness of the development of Indonesian movies and their awareness of Indonesian culture presented through movies. Their concerns and future suggestions can be an input for the development of the movie industry, especially on how culture can be preserved through movies. The research conducted a qualitative descriptive method using interviews and documentation studies as data collections.

Results show that the majority of the informants are aware of the emerging of Indonesian movies. They also admitted that Indonesian movies have changed throughout the decade. They agreed that Indonesian movies could be a medium to learn Indonesian culture. Adolescents learn various elements of cultures within Indonesian movies categorized by multicultural issues, how people live life, Indonesian myths, tourism places, Indonesian games and sports, clothing, language, songs and accents. Adolescents are concerned that Indonesian cultures in Indonesian movies were like a media form to present Indonesian culture to the world. Their concern was more on how the world could acknowledge Indonesia through movies. Informants agreed the industry needs more support from the government, and as Indonesians, society should also help movies highlighted worldwide.