The Victim Narrative of the 1965-1966 Massacre in Indonesia as A Biopicture

Abstract

This paper examines the victim narrative of the 1965-1966 massacre in Indonesia from the perspective of W.J.T. Mitchell’s Biopicture. Biopicture considers an image as if it is a living thing that has the capacity to multiply, transform, and even resurrect. During the New Order era, the victim narrative of the 1965-1966 massacre was silenced by the state. Under the Soeharto presidency, there was no possibility to deliver and discuss the victim narrative of the massacre. Even in the post-reformation era, the victim narrative of the 1965-1966 massacre is often banned by the state. The hypothesis of this research is the victim narrative of the 1965-1966 massacre is a biopicture that can emerge, be born, or resurrect in various media despite being under pressure from government censors.