Meriam Bellina Becomes a Single Mother Hard at Monday's Price Increase

Meriam Bellina (Virgi/VOI)

JAKARTA - Veteran actress Meriam Bellina has once again shown her acting skills that have not been surpassed by time. In the film Monday Prices Rise, she plays the character of Bu Retno, a single mother who is harsh and protective of her children.

According to Meriam Bellina, the character she plays is a reflection of the average real-life mother.

"For me, Ibu Retno is the average of a true mother," he said in South Jakarta, Tuesday, March 3.

As a single mother, Bu Retno had to fight twice as hard. Her attitude that seemed to be in control was actually a manifestation of her love.

"He thinks by controlling, yes, that is his love for children," he explained.

"At the beginning of the story there is a dialogue that is actually a spoiler: 'As long as everything is under my control, everything will be fine'," he continued.

However, this good intention often clashes with the ambitions of his children who are starting to grow up. This is the main source of conflict in their family.

Meriam Bellina also highlighted how heavy the responsibility of a mother is. She is a figure who will always be accused, insulted, but also a place to complain.

"The problem of being a real mother will be accused, will be insulted, a place to hug, a place to cry, a place to confide. That is the real mother," he said.

He felt that a mother's role was often forgotten by her children. "Sometimes that's what you like to forget," he said.

Nadya Arina, who plays her son, also admitted that Bu Retno's character is very realistic.

"On-set off-set is yes... yes it's mom-mom, it's Indonesian mothers like that," said Nadya.

The film Monday Price Increases starts with Mutia's (Nadya Arina) fight with her mother, Retno (Meriam Bellina) making her leave home to prove that she can be successful independently.

Three years later, Mutia's career promotion at the property company stumbled upon the Mercusuar eviction project, a legendary bakery owned by Retno.

There was no other choice, Mutia returned home, and worked with her brother and sister to soften her mother's heart to sell the Lighthouse.

The film is scheduled to be released on March 18.