‘15’ (2003) by Royston Tan – The underclass of Singapore

The Singaporean society, which has always been associated with words like family-oriented, cultural, developed, and well educated were not what Royston Tan portrayed in his featured film, ‘15’. ‘15’ uncovered many insights into the Singapore society that was left undiscovered. The film featuring 5 Chinese youths who were streamed out of the system struck the society that places heavy emphasis on meritocracy. Coupled with Media Censorship Law and being claimed to be a “national threat” to Singapore, Royston was restored to cut 27 shots from his film.  (Something to remember, 2010)

The film is a true reflection of the many perceptions hold upon these fifteen years old boys.  It sets the society thinking whether are these boys really what many Singaporean always associate them with – beyond hopes and social burden. Setting himself different from many local filmmakers discussing common issues like National Service and education system, Royston choose to pull forward a film to document the life of a group of unwanted boys, highlighting issues that was never discussed and made known before.  

A directionless film with a lack of proper story plots and professional editing implies the life of these boys as someone who lose their identity and directions in life. The film revolves around the inner struggle and the pain that these boys faced in their pursuit to seek acceptance in this society.

Many skeptical Singaporeans were portrayed seeing these boys in a different light in this achievement-oriented society.

Student in school uniform mocking these street kids for their lack of education during a confrontation

Royston also highlighted the phenomenon that some Singaporean may show several negative behaviors to this group of people, even at a minor age. Sarcasm was exhibited towards their lack of ability to speak English. Is our society always judging a person based on their education level instead of who they really are? Is meritocracy in our system performing at its intention to give a fair opportunity to every individual?

As depicted in the film also, these boys value brotherhood more than the “educated” one.  They stand out for their peers despite knowing that the law might punish them. As fearless and ruthless they can be, they live their life not knowing what they are expecting tomorrow. They hold strong animus to those who interfere their life. The uncertainty in their future shaped them to take whatever that comes in their way in their unconventional lifestyle.

These uncivilized youths also portrayed a selfless personality in them as they are more than willing to share whatever they have with each other (ie. Cigarettes). it sets many audiences who are well off to pondering upon their own behaviors. Being in this competitive society, everyone tend to be a little reserve but this is not in the case in these youths.

                                                       Sharing of the last cigarette.

The film also highlighted the issues of self-harming that these youths are resorting to. The pain that they inflict on themselves is a demonstration of rebellion that many may not see and understand. These homicidal ideations remain a worrying issue to the society.

The film uncovers the unconventional lifestyle showing how they are like living without proper parenting. These youths are restored to seek love and attention in a peculiar way due to the absence of love and attention from a typical Singaporean home.

Royston Tan also portrayed the naïve and unsophisticated mentality of these youths by using amateur animations to depict their thought processes.

 

The heavy usage of dialect in the film also shows that these youths lack the knowledge and ability to converse in English and proper Mandarin despite Mandarin being the lingua franca among the Chinese communities in Singapore.

Unlike many other local films, Singapore was not portrayed as a vibrant city in 15. Most of the scenes were shot in an enclosed area like an apartment, nightclub and underpass shows that these are what the outside world are unable to see. The overall treatment to the film of dark and dull also shows that these social issues are hidden beneath to society.

Gangsters in Singapore are seen in the film as an outcast. They are not valued and respected unlike how gangsters were portrayed in other film at another part of the world. They are being called the “streetkid” in many instances.

                                      

(Yakuza Tattoo - Japanese, n.d.)

(Old boys - Korean, n.d.)

Yakuza in Japan were treated with respect in many films relating to them. Unlike gangster in Singapore, Yakuza adopts a well-established hierarchy system. Japanese do not see these Yakuza the same way as how Singaporean sees the gangster. They operate openly and they are also found to be more effective than the government in disasters relief effort in Kobe (James, 1995). They deal with drug trafficking and other illegal operations as a form of living while the gangster in Singapore holds another job. Yakuza are seen to instill fear in the audience in many Japanese films whereas Singapore gangster in 15 generates a sense of empathy.

Kkangpae in Korea holds another identity that differs from the rest. They are seen in the movie Old Boys (2012) as a professional organization. Unlike Singapore gangsters who dress in school uniform and casual attire, they are dressed in suits. They presented themselves well and the general public does not judge them as beyond hopes. The movie poster of Old Boys also suggested that these Kkangpae are not afraid to be seen in the public.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) views the film as a channel that might promote the secret societies in Singapore as real gang name were mentioned. It was also criticized as a film that lack moral message (John, 2004). The film showed the down side of the Singapore society that was neglected. It was also criticized that Singaporean should not be educated about secret societies through a film like this with no intention. Months after the release of 15, the National Crime Prevention Council and the SPF released a movie called “After School” (“After School,” 2003). The intention of the film is the same as 15 but it aims to educate Singaporean about gang life through showing consequences and a proper story plot.

 Bibliography and References

After School. (2003). Retrieved from http://www.ncpc.gov.sg/afterschool/index.html

James, S. (1995, January 22). QUAKE IN JAPAN: GANGSTERS; Gang in Kobe Organizes Aid for People In Quake. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/22/world/quake-in-japan-gangsters-gang-in-kobe-organizes-aid-for-people-in-quake.html

John, A. (2004, January 5). Police censor fly-on-wall tale of gang life. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/jan/05/film.filmcensorship

Old boys - Korean. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cityonfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Nameless-Gangster.jpg

Royston Tan: Something to remember. (2010, October 16). Retrieved from http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20101016-242612.html

Yakuza Tattoo. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PqBBvl5Z_P0/UVmYUIEEBWI/AAAAAAAAArs/_sHEg1Sbf4s/s1600/1.jpg