The biography of the Indonesian women's emancipatist, R.A. Kartini, based on her letters.

Legendary directors Wim Umboh and Sjumandjaja, decided to experiment by producing a script being written at the same time of the shooting. Mama is a complex story with two seemingly unrelated narrative threads. The first story revolves around Sanca and Anani. The second is about Ulli and Pandji, and in between the two stories is a third narrative, about Ulla, a religious prostitute and Ulli’s sister, and Suwaka.

Lies, a 17-year-old student, is forced to marry Madun, an aging and wealthy man, as a way to repay her mother's debts. Her heart actually belongs to Jack, the son of a rich businessman from the same village, who now works in Jakarta. After giving up her rebellion, Lies finally agrees—with several conditions: the marriage must take place in the capital, and Madun has to comply with all her demands. Madun confidently agrees, clueless that Lies has already devised a cunning plan.