Representation of Beauty Construction in the Film 200 Pounds Beauty, A Semiotic Analysis from a Feminist Perspective

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the representation of women's beauty construction in the movie 200 Pounds Beauty through Roland Barthes' semiotic approach and a feminist perspective. The study uses a qualitative interpretive approach with the film as the main data source. Data was collected through document observation, scene review, dialogue recording, as well as documentation of visual signs such as expressions, makeup, clothing, and the physical changes of characters. Data analysis was done based on the three levels of semiotic meaning by Roland Barthes, namely denotation, connotation, and myth, and then interpreted using a feminist perspective. The results show that women's beauty is represented as a social construct that influences acceptance, identity, and professional opportunities. The physical transformation of the character Juwita into Angel shows the presence of beauty privilege and the objectification of women's bodies, as well as the pressure to meet dominant beauty standards. However, the film also presents a critique of these standards through Juwita's identity conflict and her courage in revealing her true self. These findings show that the movie 200 Pounds Beauty both reproduces and critiques beauty myths. This study highlights the importance of media literacy and a critical perspective in understanding the representation of women, so that appreciation of women is not solely based on physical appearance, but also on ability, identity, and self-autonomy.