New Aesthetics: Narrating Muslim Female Heroes in Hollywood Films

Anas Ahmadi

doi:10.32350/jitc.152.12

Anas Ahmadi Department of Indonesian Language and Literature, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2583-2703

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.152.12

Keywords: Feminism, hero, Hollywood, Muslim, women

Abstract

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This study aims to explore the new aesthetics of Muslim female heroes in Hollywood films through the perspective of feminism. This research uses qualitative method, and data collection techniques are carried out through literature studies. The data for this study were collected from the Ms. Marvel film (2022) produced by the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The results of this study showed the following findings: first, Ms. Marvel presents a new narrative of Muslim women as heroes, which have never been portrayed in Western films; second, Kamala Khan, a Muslim hero, possesses superpowers that enable her to fly, make clouds, and stretch her body; third, Kamala Khan as a Muslim female hero saves people who need help; fourth, Ms. Marvel is a global market strategy to bring Muslims to the surface; and fifth, Islamic identity is depicted powerfully through symbols of the daily lives of devout Muslims, hijab, prayer, mosques, and Eid al-Fitr. Such depictions are able to embrace Muslim audiences who are spread across various countries in the world. This study is expected to contribute internationally to research on feminism in Hollywood films. Furthermore, the results of this study are expected to be considered as a new breakthrough in research on heroism that has so far been dominated by men and male perspectives.

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