Nirina Zubir Talks About the Character of Mama Gema in 'TINGGAL MENINGGAL', Feels Related

Nirina Zubir became a mother who married young to a husband much older than her. She had to be a submissive wife to her husband, but at one point, she had to experience loss.

"I am here as Gema's mother. I married young, married to a husband who is much older. And it’s really like, you’re the wife, listen to me. This is what it means to marry young, so the focus is really just on the husband," said Nirina.

"Suddenly being left behind and then what should I do, struggle in life to find my own happiness. And sometimes it’s said that a happy household is when the mother is happy," she continued.

In addition, Nirina mentioned that she feels related to the character of Gema's mom. In real life, Nirina Zubir is also a mother to two children. She often feels torn between me time and spending time with her kids.

"Well, relatedly, embarrassingly relatedly, sometimes as a parent I have those moments where I'm like 'ah I want to be happy. Is it wrong if I do this?' You know. I prioritize my happiness but on the other hand, I have children that I need to think about too. But I also have the right to be happy," said the wife of Ernest Cokelat.

An example that makes this 45-year-old woman feel torn is the moment when she wants to go cycling out of town for a few days and leave her two children at home.

"So it's like if I really like biking, you know. For days like that. Then when I'm about to make that decision, it's like maybe not. It feels long, like these seven days or twelve days. Oh, it's long, what about the kids later? But then I remind myself. But this is only twelve days in a year. Oh yeah, that makes sense. So, okay, I'll do it. But when I come back, I feel a bit guilty about it," he continued. 

Nevertheless, on that occasion, Kristo Immanuel as the director praised Nirina as an extraordinary mother for being able to take time for her children.