Maria Mutiara

Maria is a young girl growing up in Minahaasa, the northern region of the tropical island of Sulawesi. In the 1940's and 50's the region underwent a political and economic transition. What was once the colonial Dutch East Indies became the new country of Indonesia, and Maria and her family became Indonesian citizens. Maria ends up in the world of glitter and glamour as a successful TV personality in the big city of Jakarta. She enjoys a care-free life until she falls in love and marries Don, a young journalist. A romantic at heart, Maria believes in true love and marriages made in heaven as described in popular songs and fiction novels. She has a simple dream for a life with Don, rich with love even if not rich with money. Somehow this dream turns out to be unattainable. Don is charming and intelligent, and in business he is shrewd and sly. He becomes a successful businessman. But chasing after women has always been his weakness. Is it perhaps in his blood? His father had two wives and many mistresses. Did Maria make a wrong choice or is it her destiny to go through a rough life full of deceit, lies, intrigue and betrayal?