They are Lily (Yati Octavia), who wishes to marry and move away from the city; Ijan (Cok Simbara), a pickpocket and Lily's boyfriend, Mbah Genggong (Maruli Sitompul), an old robber who fought in the Indonesian National Revolution until he was betrayed; Yayuk (Ully Artha), who was forced into prostitution to deal with her husband's gambling debts; Mangapul (Roy Marten), an escaped felon who pretends to be rich; and Norma (Dien Novita), who nearly slept with her brother while working.

In the district, the children imitate the adults' behaviour and kiss in the streets, men work as pickpockets in the city proper, and corrupt businessmen, politicians, and police officers hire the prostitutes.

Mbah Genggong leads his men, including Ijan, to rob a jewellery store owned by a Chinese-Indonesian man.

As the district's residents come out and watch the police actions, Lily puts on her wedding ring.

[1] According to Umboh, the film was meant to have no primary protagonist, instead giving equal treatment to each of the main characters.

[2] Mangunharso, in a review in Suara Merdeka, suggested that the character of Mbah Genggong was included to show that people considered useful to their country can fall, and that those who are prostitutes now could have been something else had their lives taken a different turn.

[4] A review for Tempo magazine argued that Umboh was unfit to direct the film, as his realistic approach did not do justice to the original play; however, the robbery scene was said to be well-done.

[1] Mangunharso wrote that the film was intriguing, but complained that towards the end it began to focus too much on Mbah Genggong.