Manu Sukmajaya

Taxi

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

Bitter Coffee

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.

Ponirah Is Convicted

Since birth Ponirah has lived a cursed life. Her mother died while birthing her and her brother Permadi is hit by a truck while riding a bicycle with her. This leads her father, Jabarudi, to go temporarily insane and nearly stab her with a kris. Their maid, Trindil, brings Ponirah with her and escapes the city, settling in Yogyakarta. Trindil becomes a prostitute to support herself and Ponirah; the two live at the brothel.

Behind the Mosquito Net

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.

Dr. Karmila

Karmila (Tanty Josepha), a final year student at the Faculty of Medicine, is engaged to Edo (Rudy Salam) who is studying abroad. In a youth party, Karmila is trapped by Feisal (Robby Sugara), a bad boy who then rapes her. Karmila is willing to marry Feisal on the condition that after the baby is born and old enough, he will divorce. She stayed with her aunt until she gave birth and was curt, not taking care of the baby. Meanwhile, Feisal has the opposite attitude because he is sorry and loves Karmila. The son then followed his father and Karmila continued his studies until the end. During a party to go abroad, Karmila was told that her child was sick. Karmila comes to check. Her heart melted, and she canceled her abroad and chose to be a good wife for Feisal, so she had two children. He refused Edo who returned from abroad.

Kejamnya Ibu Tiri Tak Sekejam Ibu Kota

Ateng has felt how difficult it is to live with his stepmother. He is often being shouted at and even gets slapped. His father never stands by him. The village people are impressed to see the appearance of Iskak, Ateng’s old friend, who has just returned from Jakarta. This causes Ateng to yearn to leave for the capital city. And so Ateng joins Iskak. Once they arrive in Jakarta, their bags are stolen. Apparently Iskak has been talking big, as it is difficult for him to find a job. Ateng feels miserable in the capital city. He has been beaten up, starved and tricked. Ateng feels the capital city is crueler than his stepmother.

Ratapan Anak Tiri II

For this sequel to the unexpectedly successful Ratapan Anak Tiri (Lament of a Stepchild), Susy is bullied by her stepmother, who is her father’s third wife. However, her stepsister Umi, who is the biological daughter of her stepmother, always defends her. Reno, her schoolmate, loves Susy but it is not mutual. On one occasion when he eats at her place and makes the floor dirty, Susy is thrown out of the house, when her stepmother slips, knocks her head and is unconscious. Umi joins Susy and they stay over at a friend’s house. Umi misses her father, so both girls separate. The stepmother, who is looking for Umi, comes across Susy on the streets and verbally abuses her. Susy now dares to fight back and challenges her.