Exploring the Power of Nationalism in Toba Dreams: A Cinematic Journey by TB Silalahi
Abstract
This study aims to explore the power of nationalism in Toba Dreams, a based on a true story film adapted from a novel by TB Silalahi. Released in 2015, the film explores a deep representation of nationalism. Set against the backdrop of the Batak Toba culture in Indonesia, the film vividly depicts the complex relationship between identity, culture, and nationalism. This study focuses on analyzing how the film conveys various elements of nationalism, such as character building, patriotism, responsibility, solidarity, and sacrifice. This study uses a qualitative approach, drawn from film analysis, sociocultural theory, and historical perspectives on nationalism. By analyzing key scenes and character dynamics, this study reveals how the film Toba Dreams uses its narrative to foster a deeper understanding of the role of nationalism in shaping individual identity. The findings of this study reveal that beyond entertainment, the film also offers a platform to reflect on the significance of nationalism in modern Indonesian society. The film emphasizes the power of cultural heritage, unity, and loyalty to the country while addressing the challenges of maintaining national values in a globalized world. Through its engaging storytelling, the film offers not only a visual journey, but also a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be part of a nation. This study is expected to contribute to the ongoing discourse on nationalism through cinema.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Akama, H. E. (2024). Political exclusion and the resurgence of ethnic nationalism in Nigeria: A study indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB). Caritas International Journal of Political Studies and International Relations, 1(1). https://caritasuniversityjournals.org/index.php/cijpsir/article/view/95
Barker, C., & Jane, E. A. (2016). Cultural studies: Theory & practice. Sage Publication, Inc.
Bogdan, R. C., & Biklen, S. K. (1998). Qualitative research for education: An introduction to theory and methode. Pearson.
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research (3rd ed.). Sage.
Demeschenko, V. (2023). Features of genre formation in film art of the 21st century. Interdisciplinary Cultural and Humanities Review, 2(2), 11–19. https://doi.org/10.59214/2786-7110-2023-2-2-11-19
Ertug, G., Cuypers, I. R. P., Dow, D., & Edman, J. (2024). The effect of nationalism on governance choices in cross-border collaborations. Journal of Management, 50(7), 2597–2640. https://doi.org/10.1177/01492063231172757
Fadilah, T., & Pane, I. I. I. (2020). Indirect speech acts in Toba Dream Movie. Linguistica, 8(4), 220. https://doi.org/10.24114/jalu.v8i4.17036
Heang, R. (2024). Digital nationalism: Understanding the power of digital technology in the rise of nationalism, national identity, and national narratives. Open Access Library Journal, 11, e12129. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1112129
Hidayat, R. O., & Prasetio, A. (2015). Representasi nasionalisme dalam film Habibie dan Ainun [Representation of nationalism in Habibi dan Ainun films].
Jurnal Visi Komunikasi, 14(1), 1–15.
Jong, A. (2023). Modern episteme, methodological nationalism and the politics of transnationalism. Frontiers in Political Science, 5, 1172393. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2023.1172393
Judis, J. B. (2021). The politics of our time: Populism, nationalism, socialism. Columbia Global Reports. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2dzzqsn
Kulin, J., Johansson Sevä, I., & Dunlap, R. E. (2021). Nationalist ideology, rightwing populism, and public views about climate change in Europe. Environmental Politics, 30(7), 1111–1134. https://doi.org/10.1080/09644016.2021.1898879
Larin, S. J. (2020). Is it really about values? Civic nationalism and migrant integration. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 46(1), 127–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2019.1591943
Lin, K. Y. (2016). The use of films. In M. de Vries (Eds.), Handbook of technology education. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-38889-2_64-1
Liu, Z., & Yuan, Z. (2024). Study the ideological and political education function of main theme film and television works. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 13(1), 12–15. https://doi.org/10.54097/dxqxp876
Locke, J. C. W., & Elowitz, M. B. (2009). Using movies to analyze gene circuit dynamics in single cells. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 7(5), 383–392. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2056
Mackey, A., & Gass, S. M. (Eds.). (2012). Research methods in second language acquisition: A practical guide. Blackwell Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444347340
Manesah, D. (2019). Analisis identitas budaya lokal pada film Toba Dreams sutradara Benni Setiawan melalui Mise En Scene dan dialog [Analysis of local cultural identity in the Film Toba Dreams by director Benni Setiawan through Mise En Scene and dialogue]. PROPORSI : Jurnal Desain, Multimedia dan Industri Kreatif, 5(1), 72–84.
Merriam, S. B. (1998). Qualitative research and case study applications in education. Jossey-Bass.
Milioni, A. (2024). What is wrong with methodological nationalism? An argument about discrimination. Moral Philosophy and Politics. https://doi.org/10.1515/mopp-2024-0033
Mylonas, H., & Tudor, M. (2023). Varieties of nationalism: Communities, narratives, identities. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108973298
Nuary, M. G., Budiman, B., Saro’i, M., Dirsa, A., & Arifudin, O. (2024). Teacher strategies instilling nationalist values in the millennial generation in the technological era. International Journal of Teaching and Learning, 2(4), 954–966. https://injotel.org/index.php/12/article/view/125
Pickus, N. (2007). True faith and allegiance: Immigration and American civic nationalism. Princeton University Press.
Powers, K. E., & Ko, J. (2024). The state of nationalism (SoN): Nationalism and international conflict. Studies on National Movements, 13(1), 160–183. https://doi.org/10.21825/snm.91457
Prasetyawati, I. B.. (2014). Nilai nasionalisme dalam film Garuda di Dadaku dan relevansinya terhadap anak usia MI [National Values in the Film Garuda di Dadaku and Its Relevance to MI Age Children] [Bachelor’s thesis, UIN Sunan Kalijaga]. Institutional Repository UIN Sunan Kalijaga. https://digilib.uin-suka.ac.id/id/eprint/14616/
Sahari, Y. (2024). Subtitling the f-word into Arabic in Hollywood films: a corpus-based study. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, 695. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03190-3
Sandelowski M. (2000). Combining qualitative and quantitative sampling, data collection, and analysis techniques in mixed-method studies. Research in nursing & health, 23(3), 246–255. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-240x(200006)23:3<246::aid-nur9>3.0.co;2-h
Schacher, Y. (2013). Refugees and restrictionism: Armenian women immigrants to the USA in the post-World War I era. In M. Schrover & D. M. Moloney (Eds.), Gender, migration and categorisation: Making distinctions between migrants in western countries, 1945-2010 (pp. 55–74). Amsterdam University Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt6wp7px.4
Schuurman, B., & Taylor, M. (2018). Reconsidering radicalization: Fanaticism and the link between ideas and violence. Perspectives on Terrorism, 12(1), 3–22. http://www.jstor.org/stable/26343743
Sharjeel, M. Y., & Dadabhoy, K. (2013). Use of films for teaching social values in english classes at elementary level. Journal of Elementary Education, 23(1), 41–52.
Sheppard, H., Bizumic, B., & Iino, N. (2023). A reconceptualization of nationalism: Intragroup and intergroup nationalism in ethnic majority and minority groups. Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology, 4, 100126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cresp.2023.100126
Smith, N., & Rock, J. (2014). Documentary as a statement: Defining old genre in a new age. Journal of Media Practice, 15(1), 58–62. https://doi.org/10.1080/14682753.2014.892698
Spradley, J. P. (2016). The ethnographic interview. Waveland Press, Inc.
Stalmeijer, R. E., Brown, M. E. L., & O’Brien, B. C. (2024). How to discuss transferability of qualitative research in health professions education. The Clinical Teacher, 21(6), e13762. https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13762
van den Daele, L. (1981). The self-psychologies of Heinz Kohut and Karen Horney: A comparative examination. The American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 41(4), 327–336. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01258946
Wahyuni, S. (2016). Kajian struktur dramatik dan alur cerita film Toba Dreams karya Benny Setiawan [A study of the dramatic structure and storyline of the film Toba Dreams by Benny Setiawan]. PROPORSI : Jurnal Desain, Multimedia dan Industri Kreatif, 2(1), 48–58.
Yıldız, T., & Çengel, E. (2024). The repertoires of religious nationalism: The case of İsmet Özel. Nationalities Papers, 52(2), 380–396. https://doi.org/10.1017/nps.2022.88
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24815/eej.v16i1.42901
Article Metrics
Abstract view : 15 timesPDF - 10 times
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
P-ISSN: 2085-3750
E-ISSN: 3025-9789
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.