18 Greatest Scottish Films

9. Sweet Sixteen (2002)

One of the most common words that can be associated with Scottish film is "uncompromising" and it is this truthfulness that can be found in the nation's best films, that gives them an integrity and legitimacy that appears to be dwindling in recent British film. Sweet Sixteen is up there with the best Ken Loach films, another collaboration with Paul Laverty, it is the tale of young Liam, a "Ned" (non-educated delinquent) from the town of Greenock near Glasgow, whose sixteenth birthday is approaching as he finds himself drawn deeper into a life of crime than he had hoped or intended. Liam perfectly encapsulates the kind of disenfranchised Scottish youth who found themselves marginalised and pushed to the fringes of society, growing up in the shadow of a diminished industry, with very few prospects on the horizon with which to address their circumstances.
Contributor
Contributor

As well as the odd article, I apply my "special mind" to scriptwriting for Comics, Films and Games... Oh and I cut down trees, I skip and jump, I like to press wild flow'rs, I put on women's clothing, and hang around in bars. Follow me on Twitter @DrRobertOtnik