George Kamarullah

A study of middle class life in Jakarta.

Bram and Nona marry without her parent’s approval, as she is already arranged to marry Paul. The life of the husband and wife is only supported by Bram’s small salary so they live in the slums, which is realistically depicted. They also have problems with Nien, Bram’s old unmarried sister.

A Javanese mother has to struggle to lead their children against a complex confusion of their age. Unfortunately, the mother realized that actually, her children are trying to lead her too.

Siska, a young woman was heartbroken after her fiancé broke off their engagement. Unwilling to see his sister depressed, her brother Johnny introduced her to his friend Leo, who is known as a womanizer.

A young Indonesian leaves her baby in a cab, so the driver takes the infant home, then tries to find the mother.

A portrait of newly married couple, Nurlela and Hasan, who have to live at the house of Nurlelas’s father. They do not have enough money to find a place of their own. Nurlela's father constantly compares Hasan negatively to his rich son-in-law Bakri (August Melasz), causes a friction between the young couple. Hasan and Nurlela fights when looking for their own way to be able to live independently. This situation makes them lie to each other, especially Hasan, who questions himself about his work and its environment. Hasan’s hard work to get off the family’s house eventually causes a misunderstanding. Nurlela almost commits suicide before the couple is able to trust each other again.

Set in Bandang in early 1930s, story concerns a young man who joins the anti-Dutch freedom movement. When his best friend is shot by police, he vows to assassinate the chief of police who gave the order to fire.

Suryono comes from Solo and is of royal descent. Jeannette a beautiful woman from France. Suryono took Jeannette to his hometown of Solo and finally got married, even though the marriage was not approved by Suryono's mother. The love between nations broke and Jeanette returned to France. Meanwhile Suryono, who was lonely, managed to ravish his servant, Trimah.

Set in 1896, "Tjoet Nja' Dhien" celebrates one of Indonesia's great heroes who fought for independence from the Dutch. The pious Muslim people of Aceh, a city that had flourished since ancient times as a trade port, enter into a fierce war with the Dutch. Tjoet Nja' Dhien, the widow of a rebel leader operating in Aceh in Sumatra, assumes the leadership when her husband Teuku Uma is killed in an ambush. Dhien's charismatic presence and power of survival motivate the locals to join and later continue their opposition to the Dutch. Despite personal obstacles, she remained in the thick of the struggle for ten years.

Togar, a student from North Sumatra is expected by his parents to graduate. Because his talent is in journalism, Togar fails and becomes a labourer in a cement factory. With the assistance of Buyung, Togar begins writing for a newspaper and then quits his job in the cement factory.

Yanti, has to deal with major changes when her parents divorce. Yanti chooses to live with her mother, but a shock awaits her when her mother is remarried to Bambang, a man whose character is far from the image of a father. She does not feel easy at home, loses her motivation to go to school, prefers to hang out with her friends and gives her virginity to her boyfriend, Frans. When Bambang tries to rape her, she runs away from home and stays with Frans. But it doesn’t last long since the widow who supports Frans gets out of jail. So Yanti goes to her old friend, Irma, and becomes a bartender of a brothel in Tandes. One day, her stepfather comes to the brothel and sees Yanti. Yanti avoids him by leaving with one of the guests from the bar. Then Frans comes to take her out of the place. But Bambang confronts Frans so Yanti takes a knife and stabs Bambang. Yanti goes to jail but she gets married inside the prison.

Director Teguh Karya intended to make a “real” comedy amidst the many slapstick comedies at the time, and in fact calls this film a bitter comedy. In the film, Ms. Sumirah, a widow who used to be a favourite pretty girl in Padalarang, worries about her daughter Anna, who is shy and self-conscious. She keeps pushing Anna’s brother, Willy, to invite home a co-worker from the clothing factory he works in. Then a change occurs after Anna meets Jaka, an English teacher living near her house. When their relationship starts to bloom, it is found out that Jaka is the son of Saodah, a woman who once had an affair with Sumirah’s husband, Van Nijs. Sumirah changes her mind and opposes their relationship. Finally Anna and Jaka elope.

Bagus Pribadi comes from Surabaya to conquer Jakarta with his strength. He meets Ratih, a widow who remains in the shadow of her ex-husband, Sujono. Sujono, cannot accept the fact that his ex-wife has fallen in love with another man. Hence Bagus must deal with one fight after another. Ratih’s brother, Sunarto, who owes Sujono a favour, also participates in blocking Bagus’ action. In the end, Bagus is forced to confront Sujono, and he succeeds.

Rafli, Atika, and Saskia are three friends struggling to develop a music career in Jakarta. They later find a producer who manages to make them famous. Rafli and Atika are also involved in a love relationship. Meanwhile, Saskia, who is in love with Rafli, feels left out. So she decides to leave the group and tries to struggle as a soloist. In her frustration, Saskia gives her love to Eros, a drug addict, who sells Saskia to wealthy men. Saskia also becomes a drug addict. Learning of Saskia’s fate, Rafli and Atika are devastated. Atika gives up Rafli to love and look after Saskia. Rafli accepts Atika’s decision, even though it is also a major sacrifice for Atika.