Cinema and Catastrophe: Exploring Disaster Risk and Community Resilience in Coastal Areas through Bangkit! (2016)
Dini Anggraheni, Anandha, Haris Murwanto, Ayang Fitrianti, Mustasyfa Thabib Kariadi, Iwan Nur Adi Tri Pamungkas, Nur Fithriani Fatma Cholidia

Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Universitas Semarang, Indonesia
Department of Communication Studies, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication, Universitas Semarang, Indonesia
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Semarang, Indonesia
Department of Language Education, Faculty of Humanities, Jenderal Soedirman University, Indonesia
Department of Professions and Technology, Indonesian National Police Academy, Indonesia

Abstract

This paper explores the Indonesian disaster film Bangkit! (2016). Especially in Jakarta, as a coastal area, this cultural text represents urban vulnerability, disaster risk, and community resilience in the face of environmental catastrophes. As the first Indonesian film to dramatize a large-scale flood in Jakarta, Bangkit! offers not only entertainment but also critical reflections on disaster preparedness, policy effectiveness, and the socio-cultural dimensions of resilience. Using Roland Barthes^ semiotic framework, the study analyzes visual, narrative, and symbolic elements of the film to uncover layers of meaning associated with flood risk and survival strategies. The findings reveal three dominant themes: first, Jakarta is represented as a fragile urban space where rapid urbanization and climate-related risks intersect- second, disaster management is depicted as inadequate, highlighting gaps in governance and infrastructure- and third, family bonds and community solidarity emerge as cultural resources for resilience. By situating this analysis within broader discourses on urban sustainability and disaster risk reduction, the paper argues that popular cinema plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions of environmental challenges. The study contributes to both disaster studies and cultural studies by highlighting the significance of cultural narratives in promoting awareness, reflection, and collective preparedness in the context of environmental and social crises in coastal and urban areas.

Keywords: disaster film, semiotic analysis, urban resilience, Indonesian cinema, flood risk

Topic: Social and Cultural Dimensions in Coastal Cities