Imagine a world where dragons are peacekeepers, and cooperation is the key to survival. That's the world that Raya and The Last Dragon presents-more than just an animated film, it's a window into Southeast Asian culture that has rarely received the spotlight.
Released in early 2021 by Walt Disney Animation Studios, Raya and The Last Dragon takes viewers to the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons once coexisted in harmony. When an evil force called Druun threatened the land, the dragons willingly sacrificed themselves to save humanity.
Five centuries later, the Druun have risen again, and the last hope lies in the hands of Raya-a young warrior who embarks on a dangerous journey to find the last dragon and restore peace to her homeland.
The movie is not only an exciting adventure story about dragons and magical kingdoms, but also a portrayal of Southeast Asian values, traditions, and identity.
Symbol of Southeast Asian Women's Leadership
The main character, Raya, is portrayed as a brave woman from Kumandra, a fictional land inspired by various Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Raya appears with fair skin, bushy black hair, and clothes that reflect traditional fashion styles from the Asian region. Her strong, intelligent, yet gentle character shows that leadership does not have to come at the expense of femininity.
She is an important symbol that Southeast Asian women are also capable of becoming leaders without losing their identity. This is especially relevant in a society where gender stereotypes are still often held rigidly.
In her adventure, Raya tries to unite the regions that once lived side by side. The story invites the audience to see the importance of cooperation and mutual trust, values that still feel close to our society.
Local Culture in Visual and Story Details
Research from Saraswati, Widhiyanti, and Fatmawati in the journal Satwika: Kajian Ilmu Budaya Dan Perubahan Sosial shows that this movie has many local elements of Southeast Asian society.
We can find several things that represent Southeast Asia including batik and canting, bamboo tampah, keris, stilt houses, and elephant ornaments and floating markets. Not only that, the custom of removing footwear when entering a house or shrine is also featured, something that is common in many Southeast Asian cultures.
Settings such as terraced rice fields, Sundanese traditional houses, tropical forests and pointed-roof architecture further enrich the feel of the region. All of this is infused with Disney's signature cinematic touches, which enhance its appeal.
The Challenge of Representation and Global Influence
Although some regretted that the movie did not use Southeast Asian voice actors, Raya and The Last Dragon still had a big part in introducing Asian culture to the world.
Moreover, at that time there was a rampant issue of racism against Asians. On the other hand, this movie also presents a female figure who leads without having to change her identity. Unlike the story of Mulan, where the female character must pretend to be a man to be considered brave, Raya appears as she is.
With strong characters, a touching storyline, and culturally rich visuals, the film manages to introduce a lot about Southeast Asia to audiences from all over the world.
A Space to Celebrate Identity
Raya and the Last Dragon is not only a fun family movie, but also a touching cultural introduction. It invites global audiences to see that stories from Southeast Asia also deserve a place on the international stage.
If there is one movie today that can be the face of the spirit of Southeast Asia-with its diversity, local wisdom, and the power of women-this movie is it.
Source
- Saraswati, A., Widhiyanti, K., & Fatmawati, N. G. (2021). Desain karakter film animasi Raya and The Last Dragon dalam membangun politik identitas Asia Tenggara. Satwika: Kajian Ilmu Budaya Dan Perubahan Sosial, 5(2), 254-267.
- Saraswati, A., Widhiyanti, K., & Fatmawati, N. G. (2021). Desain karakter film animasi Raya and The Last Dragon dalam membangun politik identitas Asia Tenggara. Satwika: Kajian Ilmu Budaya Dan Perubahan Sosial, 5(2), 254-267.
- Kharista, I. S. (2022). Defining Southeast Asia Through The Democratization Of Technology: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of Southeast Asian Representation In Tweets Regarding Raya And The Last Dragon. Lakon: Jurnal Kajian Sastra Dan Budaya, 11(2).
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/hiburan/20210303120519-220-613126/sinopsis-raya-and-the-last-dragon-perjuangan-mencari-naga
- https://www.cnnindonesia.com/hiburan/20210306221745-220-614651/kelana-tim-raya-and-the-last-dragon-cari-ilham-ke-indonesia
