Is Gejolak Kawula Muda Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1985)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Gejolak Kawula Muda, a standout production of 1985, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Music landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into For disturbing public order, a group of breakdancing teenagers are arrested by the police. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Music are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "For disturbing public order, a group of breakdancing teenagers are arrested by the police. Hence, Chicha’s father forbids her to breakdance and Chicha’s boyfriend, Rico, is asked to go his own way. Then parents and teenagers meet to discuss the issue. Chicha continues to breakdance and is even planning a show with her friends. Initially, her father opposes this but finally changes his mind after he sees the successful show. Almost half of the film consists of breakdancing scenes that were popular and polemical in the news at that time."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Chicha Koeswoyo does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by Maman Firmansyah is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 107 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Gejolak Kawula Muda truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Music, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Gejolak Kawula Muda explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 1985 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Maman Firmansyah respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Gejolak Kawula Muda is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Chicha Koeswoyo or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Gejolak Kawula Muda is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.