Progress or Commodification: Representation of Queerness in Indonesian New-Wave Cinema

The fall of the New Order marked a transition period that saw the end of authoritarian interference and the invigoration of artistic freedom in filmmaking amid the moral-panic-induced opposition against promoting queerness in film. This study examines films incorporating queer characters released during the Indonesian New Wave period (post-Soeharto). The purpose of this research is to see if the representation of queerness in the selected films can be considered as evidence of progress or merely serve as gimmicks intended for inclusion or commodification purposes. The study uses 15 feature films, 1 omnibus, and 2 short films released between 2003 and 2021 with a runtime ranging from 8 to 127 minutes. The research expands on the three assessment criteria used in the Vito Russo Test, a test used as an early indicator for queer depiction in film. The films are analyzed using four variables: prominence, portrayal, journey, and outcome. The findings of this research indicate that 77% of the films meet the prominence criteria; 58% conform to non-stereotypical portrayal; 46% depict complex journeys, and 54% offer positive outcomes. It can be argued that the Indonesian New-Wave cinema is currently at the intersection between inclusion/commodification and progress in terms of queer representation in film.