Faith and fantasy: The interplay of Islam and pop culture in “99 Cahaya di Langit Eropa”

Abstract

This study explores the evolving landscape of Indonesian cinema and its profound societal ramifications, focusing on the film 99 Cahaya di Langit Eropa (99 Lights in the European Sky). Using critical discourse analysis and drawing insights from Baudrillard's theoretical framework on simulation, this research systematically unpacks the ideological underpinnings embedded in the film. At the heart of this investigation is the symbiotic relationship between Islam and popular culture as manifested through the film's discursive constructions. The study combines Jäger and Maier's method of critical discourse analysis with Baudrillard's conceptualization of simulacra and simulacrum. It examines how the film's audio-visual elements shape perceptions of Islam within the broader social consciousness. The study brings to light the complex interplay of power dynamics and reveals how societal structures and practices contribute to the formation and perpetuation of these representations. Significantly, the research underscores the transformative potential of popular culture, presented in the film as an imaginative force, to shape the values and perspectives of contemporary young Muslim audiences, providing a new understanding of the role of popular culture in shaping religious identity.