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15
2004
The adventure of five fifteen year old boys in Singapore: estranged to every social reference, except for that of appearance and close friendships, they live their lives distant from their families and school, passing their days in a complete state of indolence in the search of experiences, at times even physically painful (.. Read more
| Starring | Melvin Chen, Erick Chun, Melvin Lee, Vynn Soh |
|---|---|
| Director | Royston Tan |
| Genres | Drama, World Cinema |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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Director Royston Tan's uncompromising take on teenage ennui caused outrage in its native Singapore. The story of five young friends living on the fringes of society is played out by actual street kids, who re-enact their own experiences of drug abuse, promiscuity and violence. Sequences containing an animated guide to suicide and a rap tribute to the Lion City's most feared street gangs reveal the director's outspoken support for these nonconformists. However, Tan's background in music videos lends the film a self-consciously modish look, which, coupled with the fractured editing style, somewhat swamps the fragile feelings of these young rebels whose only cause is to be accepted on their own terms.
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Singaporean wunderkind Tan reckons that in the 80s he would have been jailed for his anti-consensual punk film... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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11 out of 13 people found this review helpful
singapore kids?
this has so far only made limited release in the uk. its alot more hard hitting than larry clark's kids, with less of a plot and much jumping around. that said it is fascinating. a good portrayal of disaffected youth, definitely worth seeing.
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Dissaffected Youth
The film is about five 15-year old boys who have problems with schoolwork. They are threatened with expulsion from the family home if they don't pass their exams.
The film protrays how they react to this pressure by emphasising their behaviour both publically and in private, via the use of drugs, tattoos, gang fighting, suicide, sex, etc.
It was gripping to watch, as it emphasises what can happen if appropriate behaviour is not instilled parentally at a younger age - an aspect which is creeping more and more into current British life. -
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Singaporean angst
Royston Tan first directed '15' as a short film - just 18 minutes duration. This was widely praised on the film festival circuit a year or so back. I'm not sure that stretching the material to 90 minutes has been completely successful, however there are a number of moments in this film which are poignant and stay in the mind. There are also scenes that are quite stomach-churning - swallowing condoms full of ecstasy pills; graphic scenes of self-piercing and a deeply sad scene of self-mutilation.
But for me the most affecting section of the film was the second half which focussed on the relationship between Shaun and Erick. Theirs is a non-sexual loving relationship. Their mutual utter loneliness is the glue which holds these two young boys together. But you know somehow that these are lives already lost. They are outside the rigid Singaporean system and will inevitably fall foul of the law. A fact born out by the end captions. See this film, but not if you're feeling depressed. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Very different, but excellent if your fed up with blockbusters
I thought that the film was quite dark and sinister, but then isn’t growing up in this fu*$ed up crazy world like that in real life for a lot of young people? At times it can throw you a little bit,the story is not very fluid and jumps around, but I think this was the directors intention. There are poignant moments in the film where you can really see the characters emotions and their despair. It lost me a bit at times but all in all was a film that I enjoyed watching. If you are fed up with cheesy movies watch this and make your own mind up
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5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Singaporean angst
Royston Tan first directed '15' as a short film - just 18 minutes duration. This was widely praised on the film festival circuit a year or so back. I'm not sure that stretching the material to 90 minutes has been completely successful, however there are a number of moments in this film which are poignant and stay in the mind. There are also scenes that are quite stomach-churning - swallowing condoms full of ecstasy pills; graphic scenes of self-piercing and a deeply sad scene of self-mutilation.
But for me the most affecting section of the film was the second half which focussed on the relationship between Shaun and Erick. Theirs is a non-sexual loving relationship. Their mutual utter loneliness is the glue which holds these two young boys together. But you know somehow that these are lives already lost. They are outside the rigid Singaporean system and will inevitably fall foul of the law. A fact born out by the end captions. See this film, but not if you're feeling depressed.
-
11 out of 13 people found this review helpful
singapore kids?
this has so far only made limited release in the uk. its alot more hard hitting than larry clark's kids, with less of a plot and much jumping around. that said it is fascinating. a good portrayal of disaffected youth, definitely worth seeing.
-
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Dissaffected Youth
The film is about five 15-year old boys who have problems with schoolwork. They are threatened with expulsion from the family home if they don't pass their exams.
The film protrays how they react to this pressure by emphasising their behaviour both publically and in private, via the use of drugs, tattoos, gang fighting, suicide, sex, etc.
It was gripping to watch, as it emphasises what can happen if appropriate behaviour is not instilled parentally at a younger age - an aspect which is creeping more and more into current British life. -
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Singaporean angst
Royston Tan first directed '15' as a short film - just 18 minutes duration. This was widely praised on the film festival circuit a year or so back. I'm not sure that stretching the material to 90 minutes has been completely successful, however there are a number of moments in this film which are poignant and stay in the mind. There are also scenes that are quite stomach-churning - swallowing condoms full of ecstasy pills; graphic scenes of self-piercing and a deeply sad scene of self-mutilation.
But for me the most affecting section of the film was the second half which focussed on the relationship between Shaun and Erick. Theirs is a non-sexual loving relationship. Their mutual utter loneliness is the glue which holds these two young boys together. But you know somehow that these are lives already lost. They are outside the rigid Singaporean system and will inevitably fall foul of the law. A fact born out by the end captions. See this film, but not if you're feeling depressed. -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
15:- The title not the rating!
Having read through the reviews for this film it seems some people miss the point - it is not a film full of made up actors - it is real - very real - and it is dark because the subject is dark, but it's dark in an entertaining way. The key thing is it grabs you and won't let you go - you never quite know whats coming next - yes it has subtitles, so what it's not made in Hollywood. It even has it's amusing moments - maybe not the most entertaining film you will watch this year, but I bet you remember it!
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Very different, but excellent if your fed up with blockbusters
I thought that the film was quite dark and sinister, but then isn’t growing up in this fu*$ed up crazy world like that in real life for a lot of young people? At times it can throw you a little bit,the story is not very fluid and jumps around, but I think this was the directors intention. There are poignant moments in the film where you can really see the characters emotions and their despair. It lost me a bit at times but all in all was a film that I enjoyed watching. If you are fed up with cheesy movies watch this and make your own mind up
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Bold Raw Powerful.
What is interesting about this film is that all the main actors are real life gangsters. It is not glamourised Hollywood film. It's bold and raw. What you see is what you get. It would be best if you can understand mandarin and hokkien.
Nevertheless, this film is a good film that looks into the life of young gangsters in Singapore. The anger, the despair, the pressure of the Asian society in general.
It's a great effort from Royston Tan and the crew as well the actors.
Bravo! -
a rather old fashioned look
The film reminded me strongly of the 'hip','cool' movies of the 60's and 70's showing the younger generation scene. Drugs, sex, fashion etc. It has all been done before,and I feel much better. e.g. 'Performance','Blow Up' and so on. However I am sure todays kids will love it!
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Not sure about this one
The film as a whole left me not feeling much of anything, patricularly as i didn't feel that it was time to end the film when it did. However a day or so later I started to think about the film in a slightly better light, there is an underlying thought provoking message, and a few of the scenes did grab me and take me places that I might otherwise make myself ignorant to. I did feel connected to the characters somewhat, due to good performances, making the message surrounding their friendship more poignant.
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
This is life
An excellent look at life, one that seems far away from our own! This movie follows 5 singapore kids who like tatoos, drugs and fighting. It is shocking in parts and graphic (you'll be able to pierce your face in several places after watching this one!) but it is well made and a real treat away from the poo that Hollywood churn out- Enjoy!
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scary stuff!
as close to realistic as possible! Had me and friends worried about the future!
Critics' reviews (2)
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Director Royston Tan's uncompromising take on teenage ennui caused outrage in its native Singapore. The story of five young friends living on the fringes of society is played out by actual street kids, who re-enact their own experiences of drug abuse, promiscuity and violence. Sequences containing an animated guide to suicide and a rap tribute to the Lion City's most feared street gangs reveal the director's outspoken support for these nonconformists. However, Tan's background in music videos lends the film a self-consciously modish look, which, coupled with the fractured editing style, somewhat swamps the fragile feelings of these young rebels whose only cause is to be accepted on their own terms.
-
Singaporean wunderkind Tan reckons that in the 80s he would have been jailed for his anti-consensual punk film... read more on Time Out
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