Acting
Arifin, a six-grader, is infected with polio and he is brought to a shaman to be healed, but there is no progress. He is then brought to a doctor in Yayasan Penderita Anak Cacat (a foundation that takes care of disabled children). The doctor tries to convince Arifin’s parents that although Arifin cannot be fully cured, he can still function like ordinary people. In the end, Arifin is treated in the foundation.
Bung and Mas are two caretakers in an orphanage at the outskirts of the city. One night, Bung and Mas find a baby abandoned at their front yard. They have a dilemma: if they take it, they are afraid of being scolded by the head of the orphanage, Mr. Sastro; if they do not take it, it is against their conscience and profession. So they take the baby, and are relieved that he is well accepted by Mrs. Sastra and the children in the orphanage. Then Bung and Mas have an altercation with some thugs who chase them, and a car hits them so they end up in the hospital. But in the end, the children they care for are the ones who protect them.
With a cast of dangdut singers and dangdut groups, this film also highlights a dangdut music festival. H. Imron forbids his daughter Diana to sing dangdut. Her outdoor activities are watched carefully. Meanwhile, Diana teaches their talented housemaid, Itje, to sing dangdut. Later she takes part in the dangdut music festival.
Ateng is spoiled by his grandmother and this troubles his parents since Ateng is a little mentally challenged and needs special education from a teacher. The presence of Iskak, a village kid who is adopted and brought there to accompany Ateng is also a worry as Iskak always has ideas for his own profit. Ateng becomes very dependent on Iskak, so when Iskak is told to leave after he is accused of stealing a neighbor’s watch (though unproven), Ateng is very upset. Then he climbs up a water tower and refuses to come down until Iskak returns.
