Performativity on The Screen: Exaggerated Femininity of Waria Characters in Catatan Si Boy (1980s-1990s and 2023) in Indonesia Cinema

Abstract

This study examines the representation of waria (transgender women) in the Indonesian film series Catatan Si Boy, comparing portrayals from the original Catatan Si Boy in the 1980’s-1990’s period and the 2023 remake.. Drawing on  Judith Butler's concept of performativity, this research analyzes how waria characters are constructed through stylized and exaggerated expressions of femininity that align with social strereotypes of "women-like" behavior. These portrayals often position waria sources of humor and entertainment,while simultaneously shaping their role as visible yet marginal figures within popular cinema. The study employs Foucauldian Discourse Analysis and thematic analysis to investigate how languange, fashion, and body gestures contribute to the performative construction of gender. Findings reveral both continuity and transformation in the potrayal of waria: while the earlier films emphasized flamboyant feminity and comedic relief, the 2023 remake integrates modern slang and English expressions reflecting broader cultural and generational shifts.Overall, the analysis highlights the dual role of media in reinforcing and challenging gender norms.By situating these portrayals within Indonesian popular culture, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how cinema mediates perceptions of minority gender identities, showing how performance and representation can both reproduce and contest dominant sosial expectations.