Representasi Perjuangan Seorang Ibu dalam Film Nowhere Karya Albert Pinto

This study aims to analyze the representation of a mother’s struggle in Nowhere, directed by Albert Pinto, through Roland Barthes’ semiotic framework. The analysis focuses on three levels of meaning denotation, connotation, and myth to reveal how the film constructs ideological notions of motherhood. The narrative centers on Mia, a mother who must survive under extreme circumstances after being trapped inside a shipping container at sea, while simultaneously giving birth and caring for her newborn alone. Findings indicate that the film’s visual, symbolic, and narrative elements not only portray the physical and emotional struggles of motherhood but also reinforce cultural myths that depict mothers as resilient figures capable of enduring existential, emotional, and social pressures. At the denotative level, the film presents literal realities of maternal struggle through scenes of isolation, hunger, and storm threats. At the connotative level, these signs evoke emotional meanings of perseverance, unconditional love, and sacrifice. At the mythical level, the film naturalizes the ideology of motherhood as a powerful, rational, and enduring force that transcends physical and social limitations. This research contributes to communication and film studies by enriching the understanding of how media constructs female representation, particularly in extreme maternal contexts. Furthermore, the study resonates with global issues such as migration, humanitarian crises, and structural injustice against women. Thus, Nowhere functions not only as a cinematic text but also as a social reflection on the universal meaning of maternal struggle.