Exclusive, Marcella Zalianty And Dedication To Empowering Women Through Theater Stage

Marcella Zalianty (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

JAKARTA - At 43 years old, Marcella Zalianty doesn't seem to run out of space for exploration. This year, she had the opportunity to debut on the stage of the Laksamana Malahayati theater, which was a collaboration with the Indonesian Navy (AL).

Counting herself as a senior actor, in fact Marcella still feels doubts when remembering the process of acting for the theater. She did not hesitate to call the project almost unviable. But her doubts disappeared because the show on September 9 was a success.

“Something that could be said to be almost impossible but finally it happened, Alhamdulillah, with enthusiasm and extraordinary response from everyone who watched. It makes us have a feeling that is difficult to translate into words and is really relieved," said Marcella Zalianty to VOI that evening.

Apart from acting, Marcella is also a producer for this theater. It is her desire to share the character of Laksamana Malahayati in various media.

"I have been inspired by this figure since 2007. Basically before she was made a national hero. In fact, I already knew about this figure, I studied research, I went to Aceh, I went to her grave. It was like looking for traces until we met archaeologists and senior historians," Marcella recalled the basic process.

"Read various literature and then FGD (forum group discussion) which invites traditional heads and cultural figures there. Finally I made a comic because I think this story is very important and how come our nation's children don't know about it?" she said.

Marcella Zalianty (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

Malahayati is the first female admiral in the world. This maritime figure apparently doesn't get the spotlight even though she is a female hero in Indonesia.

“I think there is a trace that has been missed which is that this figure is not only important but she is a symbol of our culture. And also the identity of our country, namely a maritime country. This is a symbol of our maritime glory, but that identity seems to have been lost in time," she explained.

"If we only know that female heroes, especially Kartini, Cut Nyak Dien, all have their own strengths. They have diplomatic methods but instead Hayati is fighting for her life with her blood, defending her nation, the sovereignty of her homeland and for me that is extraordinary, the meaning of women in the classical history of the Nusantara, is the only one I found so complex," she said again.

The idea to introduce Malahayati was first realized through comics in 2018. Marcella explained that the idea came to her because she had two children who liked foreign comics, especially superheroes, but never knew about domestic heroes.

Magali, one of Marcella's children, was also included in the Malahayati theater. This is a source of pride for Marcella who sees her child trying new things that are far from her interests.

Marcella Zalianty (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

“Actually, Magali is far from me, more towards his father. He likes high adrenaline, these days there are thrilling bikes, racing, cars, the older Kana prefers films. By playing there he has experience and it means he remains close to his mother," she said.

"It turns out that when they read it, they said Indonesia had their own wonder woman and for me that was success to answer that. My thought is probably correct that it is good to communicate about our heroes in such ways so that children will know and understand," said the woman who was born on March 7.

Then, she wanted to introduce Malahayati in film format. As a filmmaker, Marcella Zalianty confirmed that film is something strong for conveying a message, be it promotional or educational. Unfortunately, this plan has not been realized because it was hampered by the pandemic.

"In my opinion, film is still the number one most powerful communication medium, so when Admiral Hayati was appointed, she had an interesting background. While looking at the films that are developing in several countries, the films are very advanced, they have a lot of themes that have marine backgrounds, women empowerment, equality," continued Marcella.

In the midst of a lack of ability to work on films, Marcella began to discover the world of theater in Indonesia which was starting to develop. She then invited Jay Subiakto as director and Iswandi as writer to work on her theater.

“I see a growing passion in the world of performance. The country's performing arts need to be supported, something different needs to be presented. I think the context of Malahayati being brought to stage is also interesting because she has a setting that can present a different experience, the sea, a set that might be quite majestic and tall to depict her great power," said Tetty Liz's daughter.

"In my opinion, this is a challenge in the midst of masculinity but there is poetry that is conveyed so in the end we agreed to take this into the world of theater and then I immediately met the Navy leadership and the commander because this is a naval figure," she said.

The timing was perfect because this theater production was made when the Navy's birthday was about to be celebrated. Marcella feels that the presence of the Malahayati theater also increases appreciation for the Navy and maritime affairs.

"When the performance was brought up, many media just found out about the character Laksmana Malahayati and in the end they found out about Aceh because they watched the performance. This is one of the strengths of spatial art for us to raise things like this," said Marcella.

A Woman's Dedication

Marcella Zalianty (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

As a fellow woman, Marcella Zalianty views Malahayati as a figure who not only fights for the country, but is also a woman and mother figure who looks after the family. This was the inspiration for Marcella Zalianty to work on this character in theatrical form.

"I saw that Malahayati could not be separated from a woman, a mother, how she had to fight to defend her family and also in the midst of doing something bigger for the nation, the sovereignty of her homeland," said Marcella in praise.

"How she learns as a human being, how she finally has a sense of control that becomes a sense of fighting for her love of her homeland and women or her people or her nation," she explained.

Marcella Zalianty grew up as a career woman who mobilized all her abilities in various sectors. Maybe you have seen her acting several times in series or films, but you may have also seen her attending several events that are far from the world of entertainment.

Playing the character Malahayati also made Olivia Zalianty's older sister feel that her energy was being consumed. Apart from studying acting, she also studied dialogue, language style, and even a little martial arts.

“It's not easy to be a producer, especially playing for the first time. Maybe a producer on that film and playing in Batas and being a director in Rectoverso. I thought it was more difficult to film and direct. But yesterday at Malahayati, I felt that Malahayati had indeed sucked up extraordinary energy and she had become the soul of the entire performance. If she drowned, it wouldn't matter," she said.

In acting, Marcella Zalianty considers theater to be much more stressful than acting in films. She feels she has to hold and get the audience's attention when she is on stage, which is different from films that have already gone through the production process.

Marcella Zalianty (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

“So her life and death are all at that moment, on stage. That's the magic but it's also stressful, a burden but a feeling that may not be able to be repeated. So if it is successful, there is satisfaction for me. How I feel can make up for the audience watching off camera but can't overdo it because it's so close. In the theater, the projection is bigger because we have to hold the audience," continued Marcella.

As a producer, she wants to continue developing stories, especially female heroes. The reason is, not many people have explored hero stories in general, especially marine ones. She wants the younger generation and future generations to have an exploration to find out that Indonesia has its own heroes.

Marcella also admitted that as a woman, she is also required to continue to show quality. This is why she is no longer as active as she used to be in acting. Now, she is starting to learn to prioritize while doing everything she wants.

“I definitely choose so I don't chase quantity but I choose quality. I feel there is a quality to what I do in the sense that I can learn something. I love the world of acting so I do it with my heart and choose," said Ananda Mikola's wife.

Marcella Zalianty (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

"Actually, there is a scale to priorities, we just have to instill in ourselves that we have to be willing to sacrifice the time we possibly can, when we want to be working mothers. Since I became a mother, my child has been my priority. I work for children too, but I can have the principle that women must be independent and work," said Marcella.

Our meeting that day also went through various struggles. That day, Marcella explained that her activities were carrying out business needs, but also taking time to attend school for her child's needs.

"If you can be active and be useful for the environment, why not? You have to be tired and sleep deprived. Maybe there's not enough time to socialize, holidays, social gatherings, forget it! "When you have time, work, if you have free time, definitely spend time with your kids," she said.

"I feel grateful to God for everything and I chose this risk to be able to continue working but the children are not neglected and do not lack anything," she stressed.

The star of the film Catatan Si Boy believes that every woman has advantages and desires. Through the ups and downs in life, Marcella Zalianty is determined to live and achieve everything she wants. A good family is a family that provides support.

"Time is short so actualize productive age because this is not forever. Use it to give to our children and the next generation. We just never know what happens in life. We must not depend ourselves on anyone. We must be sure that we remain standing on our own feet. God willing, that will save us," said Marcella Zalianty.