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Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

By Anya


I wish people would mind to watch the making process of Raya and the Last Dragon as well. 

I really want people to give more appreciation to the crew and to realize how much the effort they did to make this one big project done in positive note. I really wish people is willing to put more attention on this movie and maybe interest enough to share their precious--2 hours--time to watch it.

Tbh I was so pessimist at first about this Raya Disney movie. I mean, there're at least 11 SEA countries that might be represented and mixed, and one wrong step could bring big worldwide misunderstanding about SEA, worse than it already is. That's why I'm super glad that they worked together with not only one but several culture specialist including anthropologist, archeologist, also cultural activist as well, from several SEA countries. Consulting and experiencing in the representation process is a must and apparently they count that in.

That was one nice proper move. Even though it's such a shame that some of the countries still kind of missed, but in sake of a proper creative project, it's quite understandable. It would be nice if they would include the missed countries in the next project maybe? Finger crossed though.

So, I'm not a cultural specialist. I've never been outside from the mainland except Bali, no more than twice, and I live in a-not-so-culturalist(?) family. I can't really say anything about which and how local culture is supposed to be represented in the movie.

So, I'm not a cultural specialist. I've never been outside from the mainland except Bali, no more than twice, and I live in a-not-so-culturalist(?) family. I can't really say anything about which and how local culture is supposed to be represented in the movie.

I do noticed some architecture and places in the movie similar to the one in either Bali or Kalimantan ('Pasar Apung' that might inspired the floating market in Talon). Actually I find it funny that the building in Fang village(?) reminds me of the facade of the new campus building in my uni department that was inspired by 'Gunungan' in 'Wayang' exhibition, lol. I also noticed some familiar clothes style and character names. For example, main character name 'Raya' that maybe is taken from INA-Malay language means 'great, grand, though'

But look, I never be able to say that all those are solely inspired by Indonesian culture only. There're so many instrument that similar to 'Gamelan' in SEA, as well as 'Pasar Apung' the floating market, 'Naga' dragon, 'Wayang', the faces, skin tone, clothing, ceremonies, food

SEA countries have so many similarities to each other, it can't be denied. I can't say that representation in Raya and the Last Dragon is perfect because no representation is perfect in this world no matter how hard we work on it. But they did a 'nice try'! I appreciate it a lot

If I'm being critical, I'm disappointed on how it has to be a mixed of several countries culture that being represented in one movie. I mean, there're thousands of ethnic, millions of culture in Southeast Asia and no matter how similar they are, there're always some differences.

The head crew did hide specific reference on purpose for the sake of "fantasy" which in return, they look like generalizing SEA. Nah, I want them to appreciate "each" of us, not generalizing. Our difference is just as pretty as the similarity. Is that counted as greedy?

Also, if I'm being honest, the plot is predictable and cliché. It gives off the sense of recycled movie and they promote Raya as a SEA-based movie but don't want to show a specific reference because it's fantasy??

With those 2 facts on the table, how to not being suspicious that the reason they brought SEA culture is simply a marketing way to get millions viewers from SEA and dominate SEA market? That's so irritating.

At least, the Disney Raya production team is giving a chance for SEA culture to soar and shine. No matter how capitalism, feminism, westernization, exoticism, or anything might be hidden behind it, the fact that SEA is being promoted worldwide is unchanged. I want to be positive!

Also I wish it'll not end here, not end in this Raya movie only. I wish after this, SEA culture will not be seen merely as an exotic object, but as something to be appreciated, admired, adored, learnt, and protected. Even though there're still so many things to do and fix.


Sumber foto: TMDB

Title:  Raya and the Last Dragon

Studios: Walt Disney Animation Studios

Distributor: Walt Disney Ent.

Release: 2021

Duration: 1h47m












*English is not writer's first language therefore mistakes are expected to happen. Feel free to share any suggestion and advice in order to make a better version of this post.
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