RELIGION IN INDONESIAN CINEMAS

This study aims to revisit the argument of common assumption that Indonesian films do not represent Indonesian culture where religion is the central of it. This study investigates the ways in which Indonesian films provide cultural expressions or messages that function as religious text for its audience. By proposing functional definition of religion and using visual observation methods and interviews, this study investigates cultural patterns and religious orientations of Indonesian films of drama, horror and religious genres between 2000 and 2006. Analyzing the narratives, language, plots, and settings of the films, this study finds that religion is not neglected in the films, rather, religion is portrayed varingly in the forms of moral values as well as mystical and rational religious orientation.