Performing Whiteness in Intercultural Marriages: A Critical Analysis of the Film <i>You People</i> in Pop Culture

Scholars have asserted that the idea of whiteness has often re-emerged as invisible, non-labeled, and unmarked, and this idea is continuously propagated through media representation. Furthermore, many scholars have argued that media representation functions as a tool for (re)constructing a particular worldview. Hence, the representation of intercultural relationships in popular culture (pop culture) often emphasizes cultural differences and conflicts, especially when the performance of whiteness is involved. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the representation of intercultural relationships by analyzing how the film <i>You</i> <i>People</i> depicts cultural differences and conflicts in the context of intercultural relationships and why whiteness is performed and propagated in these narratives. A critical thematic analysis was used to analyze the dialogues in the movie. The findings align with existing research demonstrating that the film emphasizes cultural differences and often employs negative stereotypes to highlight conflicts between cultural groups. However, a significant new theme emerged, showcasing how the characters navigated and worked through their differences to maintain their relationships. This theme presents a more hopeful perspective, suggesting potential pathways for intercultural understanding and collaboration, which also brings out nuances that question whether the media is challenging or perpetuating whiteness. This study contributes to intercultural communication by highlighting the dual role of pop culture both as a site for reinforcing stereotypes and as a space for imagining possibilities of intercultural harmony. Ultimately, the study highlights the need for a more nuanced intercultural communication representation.