Lubna Jaffery opens up about her mother's death: – The Oscar buzz hit me hard
There are just a few days left until Hollywood's most prestigious film night, and back home in Norway, the anticipation is building for many. Joachim Trier, Renate Reinsve, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas are ready to represent the country on the red carpet with "The Worst Person in the World." But it's not just the film industry getting emotional. The Minister of Culture, Lubna Jaffery, admits that this year's Oscar race holds a particularly special meaning for her personally.
A loss that leaves its mark
Lubna Jaffery lost her mother a few years ago. In interviews, she has previously spoken openly about their close bond and how her mother always encouraged her to forge her own path. Now, in the midst of Oscar fever, those memories are flooding back with full force.
– It's strange how art can hit you right in the heart when you least expect it. I saw "The Worst Person in the World" with my mother when it was in cinemas, Jaffery reveals in an interview.
She describes the scene where the main character, Julie, loses someone close to her, as almost unbearably powerful to watch in hindsight.
– My mother loved film and storytelling. She would have loved to see this Norwegian team shine in Los Angeles. That's why this Oscar hope feels like an echo of her belief in me – and in Norwegian culture, says a visibly moved Jaffery.
Brotherly love and everyday joys
While her mother's spirit lingers in the minister's office, there's another man in her life keeping her spirits up: her younger brother. On social media lately, he's been entertaining followers with his "annoying" antics – from stealing the last piece of chocolate to showing up unannounced at her office with coffee.
- "Sweet brother" – as she affectionately calls him – has become a bit of a sensation in the comment sections.
- "Annoying, but indispensable", Jaffery recently wrote in a social media post, which garnered thousands of likes.
- Many commend her for showing an informal and warm side of politics amid a hectic schedule.
– He's my brother, and he's just like most siblings: a bit of a pain, but always there when it counts. It's good to have someone to laugh with when the world gets too serious, she says with a smile.
The Minister of Culture's role in Norwegian film
Beyond the personal stories, Lubna Jaffery is also Norway's leading voice in cultural policy. She has made it clear she wants to strengthen Norwegian film production and sees the Oscar nomination as proof that Norwegian stories are reaching a global audience.
– This isn't just an achievement for Joachim, Renate, and Inga. It's a victory for the entire Norwegian film community, for everyone working behind the scenes, and for the audience who finally get to see themselves represented on the big screen, she states.
She highlights that films like "The Worst Person in the World" put Norway on the map and open doors for new talent.
A personal and political journey
For Lubna Jaffery, the journey from her mother's care to today's ministerial office has been long, but driven by the same force: to create something meaningful. When she watches the Oscars ceremony from home, it will be with a heart beating both for her field and for those she has lost along the way.
– I know my mother would have been glued to the screen, just like me. And I know she would have been cheering for all the Norwegian participants. So am I – for her sake, and for all of us who love Norwegian culture, she concludes.