REPRESENTASI HEROISME SOSOK AYAH DALAM FILM MAHARAJA

Abstract

This study aims to analyze how the representation of heroic values embodied by a father figure is portrayed in the film Maharaja (2024). The background of this research is based on the societal tendency to associate heroism exclusively with superheroes or prominent figures, which often obscures the vital role of fathers in maintaining emotional balance within the family. This research uses a qualitative descriptive approach with John Fiske’s semiotic analysis method to interpret meaning through three levels of coding: reality, representation, and ideology. Data were obtained through observation of 14 film scenes that depict signs of heroism and were categorized based on the characteristics of The Great Eight by Allison and Goethals. The results of the analysis show that at the level of reality, the character Maharaja is portrayed as a simple yet determined father, with a consistent appearance and affectionate gestures. At the level of representation, lighting, music, and camera techniques are used to emphasize Maharaja’s transformation from a rigid figure to one who is strong and charismatic. Meanwhile, at the ideological level, the film presents traditional masculinity through the narrative of the father as the central hero, while subtly criticizing a corrupt legal and social system. This research reveals that Maharaja not only highlights the value of heroism, but also conveys high expectations of masculinity attached to the father figure. It further asserts that film media can serve as a reflective space to construct new understandings of heroic figures in the context of family.