Narrative Short Film · Completed Film · 2017
A 30-minute short film about Yohanes, known as Cakram, and several young people who are repeatedly excluded from an increasingly exclusive church youth organisation.
About the Film
When Church Youth Organisation Becomes Exclusive
Cakram is a narrative short film set during a church youth camp. The film examines exclusivity within a local church youth organisation and the consequences of leadership that creates distance between officers and ordinary members.
The title comes from the nickname of Yohanes, a young man who, together with several friends, is frequently excluded because they are regarded as troublemakers.
Through their experience, the film looks at how prejudice, internal hierarchy, and closed leadership can weaken the organisation and damage the church community it is supposed to serve.
Logline
During a church youth camp, Yohanes and his friends confront an exclusive leadership structure that judges them before recognising their dignity, participation, and place within the community.
Synopsis
Excluded from Their Own Community
Yohanes is better known by the nickname Cakram. Together with several friends, he moves through the church youth community carrying a reputation that has already been assigned to them by others.
They are considered disruptive and unsuitable for the respectable image expected by the organisation. Because of this judgement, they are often kept at a distance from activities, decision-making, and leadership.
The story unfolds during a church youth camp, where the relationships between the chairperson, secretary, treasurer, and ordinary members become increasingly visible.
Behind the formal structure of the organisation, the film reveals favouritism, exclusion, and a form of leadership that serves a limited circle rather than the wider community.
Through Cakram and his friends, the film asks whether a church youth organisation can truly become a place of service when some young people are treated as if they do not belong.
Core Idea
Service loses its meaning when it becomes exclusive.
A church youth organisation should create space for participation, growth, correction, and mutual care—not reproduce judgement, hierarchy, and exclusion.
Leadership and Service
Critiquing the Distance between Officers and Members
The film portrays the internal relationships between the chairperson, secretary, treasurer, and members of a church youth organisation.
These organisational positions are not presented merely as formal titles. They carry responsibility for building trust, opening participation, and ensuring that service does not become controlled by a small group.
When leadership becomes exclusive, the organisation can lose contact with the young people it is meant to accompany. The film presents this condition as a problem that can damage both the youth organisation and the wider church.
Judgement and Belonging
Who Is Allowed to Be Part of the Church?
Cakram and his friends are judged through labels attached to their behaviour and social position.
The film questions the ease with which young people can be dismissed without being understood. It asks whether the church becomes a space for transformation and companionship, or another institution that excludes people who do not fit its preferred image.
Their presence becomes a reminder that service should not be limited to those already considered respectable, obedient, or acceptable.
Setting
A Church Youth Camp
The story takes place during a church youth camp. This setting brings young people, organisational officers, worship, recreation, discipline, and social relationships into one temporary shared space.
The camp becomes a concentrated representation of situations that have occurred—or could occur—within church youth organisations.
Production Process
Made during the Final Days of the Camp
The film was produced during the KPR KGPM Grand Camp held from 26 June to 1 July 2017 at the Ranoan campsite in Kanonang, Minahasa.
Kalfein Wuisan was invited by Congregational Cinematography, the KGPM film community, and CTC, the KGPM theatre group, to develop a short film during the gathering.
Working as scriptwriter and director, he was supported by members of Terakota Fatek UNSRAT as the production crew.
The film was made during the final two days of the camp. The limited time affected the technical and production process, but also made the film an intensive collective learning experience.
First Screening
Screened before the Campfire
Cakram was first screened on Saturday, 1 July 2017, during the final evening of the camp.
The screening took place before the campfire programme. Because not all participants were able to watch it at the time, the film was later uploaded again by CC KGPM so it could reach a wider audience.
A Learning Process
Creating with Limited Time and Equipment
The production team recognised that the film still contained limitations in time, technique, and execution.
Rather than concealing those limitations, the production became an opportunity for Congregational Cinematography and the participating crew to evaluate their work and develop stronger filmmaking practices in the future.
Project Information
Film Details
Title
Cakram
Format
Narrative short film
Year
2017
Duration
30 minutes
Production setting
KPR KGPM Grand Camp
Camp dates
26 June–1 July 2017
Location
Ranoan campsite, Kanonang, Minahasa, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Main character
Yohanes, known as Cakram
Scriptwriter and director
Kalfein Wuisan
Initiated with
Congregational Cinematography—CC KGPM · CTC
Crew support
Terakota Fatek UNSRAT
First screening
1 July 2017 · Final evening of the KPR KGPM Grand Camp