NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF A DOCUMENTARY FILM, THE KINTA STORY (1949)

In documentary film, the key question that must be considered is whether the message is really trying to convey to the target group or audience? Audiences are likely to see as something that reflects reality or just a representation. Blumenberg (1975), Bordwell & Thompson (1997), Fludernik (2009), Prince (2003) and Zettl (2005) put the issue of technical elements such as setting, plot and story, graphics, wardrobe and make-up as part of the analysis of visual narratives in production. The parallel existence with the linguistic index within a discourse allows the audience to understand each visual presentation by associating each index with the real world. Furthermore, the purpose is to increase the performance of the natural charm of this documentary. An analysis of `The Kinta Story (1949)’ was performed to identify the messages that were communicated to the audience. Visual selection by the producer that represents the social factors, technology and the influence of foreign cultures have influenced the level of literacy and the construction of meaning by the viewers, thereby making this documentary film as a silent-product to deliver communist historiography and violence in society. As a result, the narrative and production technique which were used in this documentary have successfully brought the message that this documentary film can be declared as a tool of propaganda to gain public support to eliminate communist’ threat.