B. Feminism
Feminism is a theory, movement, epistemology, methodology and practices which yearned the truth. The word feminism originated from the France word
feminism in the nineteenth century, either as a medical term to describe the feminization of male body, or to describe women with masculine traits.
6
It means feminism is something which concerned with issue gender difference, advocate
equality for women, and campaign for women’s right and interest. According to Soenarjati Djajanegara the prime aim of feminist movement
is “… meningkatkan kedudukan dan derajat perempuan agar sama atau sejajar dengan kedudukan serta derajat laki-laki.” Thus feminism’s aim is to have equal
right and position between men and women. The main objective of feminism is to encourage the idea that women and men are totally different in biology but have
the same position and right.
7
The feminist movements’ impact is widely known since 1960’s, not only for women, but also widely to all societies of America. Feminist movement creates an
awareness of the societies about the inferiority of women situation. Many arenas of the society give a great supports to increase women’s status. The movements
itself can be divided into three waves. The first wave of feminist movement began in the 19
th
century, precisely in 1848. In that year, a convention was held in Seneca Falls, USA. The convention
tried to declare another version of the Declaration of Independent, which did not
6
Jane Pilcher and Imelda Imelda. Fifty Key Concepts in Gender Study. Trown Br Idge. Wiltshire: The Cromwell Press Ltd. 2004.
7
Soenarjati Djajanegara. Kritik Sastra Feminis. Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama. 2003. P. 4.
represent the women aspiration that declared, ‘All men are created equal.’ Therefore, to bring the equality between men and women, the convention declare
another version; ‘All men and women are equal’. This event is the first bar of feminist movement and noticed in history as women great rebellion.
8
Then, in 1963’s, there is a second wave of feminist movement. This second wave
movement is born by the publishing of The Feminine Mystique, written by Betty Friedan.
9
The second wave of the feminist movement conveys specific objections; to try fighting the sexual discrimination, sexual insulting and getting a fairer
house job description. Finally, the movement of feminist rises into the third wave, as known as “the rebirth of feminism”
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Which gives a new formulation to bring a new concept of life for women.
Furthermore, the feminist movement gives a new concept in women life. The feminist movement has good impacts in the world that showed from United
Nation activities which made Women Decade in Copenhagen, Denmark and conference in Nairobi, Kenya in 1985. As a result it is many countries used
equality of right and obligation in each society, even men and women.
C. Feminist Film Criticism
Feminism is a social movement which has had an enormous impact on film theory and criticism. Cinema is taken by feminists to be a cultural practice
representing myths about women and femininity, as well as about men and
8
Ibid. p. 1.
9
Ibid. p. 10.
10
Judith Pole and Ellen Levine. Rebirth of Feminism. New York: Quadrangle Books. 1971. P. 194
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