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‘Kenapa Harus Bule?’ brilliantly discusses beauty stereotypes
Pipin (Putri Ayudya) is an Indonesian woman in her late 20s. She has natural sun-kissed skin and wavy hair. She loves to wear fake eyelashes, purple or blue eye shadow, colorful outfits and high heels. Her appearance makes some people think that she is an ayam (chicken, a slang word for prostitute).
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A still from 'Kenapa Harus Bule?' (Good Sheep Productions/File)
Pipin (Putri Ayudya) is an Indonesian woman in her late 20s. She has natural sun-kissed skin and wavy hair. She loves to wear fake eyelashes, purple or blue eye shadow, colorful outfits and high heels. Her appearance makes some people think that she is an ayam (chicken, a slang word for prostitute).
For Indonesians, Pipin is not considered pretty and she realizes it. As a child, she was bullied for her skin tone, leaving her with low self-esteem.
“I realized that the local guys think I am ugly. But for bule (foreigners), I am exotic,” she reasons when her gay friend Arik (Michael Kho) asked her why she wanted to date a bule.
As she approaches the big 3-0, Pipin is determined to find a bule husband. Alas, she could not find love in Jakarta, as the dating scene was too competitive.
Encouraged by Arik, Pipin leaves her job and moves to Bali.
Read also: Elisabeth Oktofani: Exploring the world of 'bule' hunters
Clutching her fake handbag, she hopes that she could find a romantic bule husband on the Island of the Gods. In Bali, Pipin is reunited with her childhood friend Buyung (Natalius Chendana), who was also bullied for his uneven skin tone. At the same time, she also meets a handsome Italian man Gianfranco Battaglia (Cornelio Sunny).
Written and directed by Andri Cung, Kenapa Harus Bule? discusses the beauty stereotypes and the pressure to get married in Indonesia. Pipin can be you or your friend. The character can also be one of those women dating bule we see at bars or shopping malls.
The satire gave a glimpse to their perspectives. Arik and Pipin’s smart banter made me rethink my judgment toward local women who date foreigners. I felt guilty throughout the film for being so shallow in judging people’s appearances.
Kenapa Harus Bule? is one of the rare powerful Indonesian comedies. The plot was both entertaining and strong.
Although the conversation might be hard to follow for international audiences, as it uses a lot of slang, Kenapa Harus Bule? is a must-watch movie for those against beauty stereotypes.
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