Sweet Sixteen

Set in a rough Scottish neighborhood, Sweet Sixteen follows Liam, a determined teenager who wants something steadier for his family after his mother leaves prison. With few chances to escape poverty, he tries to collect enough money to buy a home where his kin can feel safe. He balances school, jobs, and the temptations of street life as he weighs loyalty to friends against what's best for his sister Chantelle and their mother. He forms tentative alliances, faces threats from those who prey on desperation, and learns the limits of his own resolve. The story tracks his attempts to build a normal life under the heavy pressure of a harsh environment, while clinging to hope and family ties.

Directed by Ken Loach from a script by Paul Laverty, Sweet Sixteen was released in 2002. It continues the duo's social realism approach, with a distinctly Scottish setting that grounds the story in tough neighborhood life, tone intimate and unflinching.

Critics praised its blunt portrayal of poverty, loyalty, and the push and pull between risk and responsibility. The film centers on resilience and care for family amid pressure, showing how far someone will go to secure a stable future. It also highlights the quiet dignity of everyday people.

Within Ken Loach's body of work Sweet Sixteen is noted for its strong performances especially from Martin Compston and for its austere realism that influenced later social drama in British cinema. It remains a reference point for stories about working class Scotland and the human cost of poverty.

Awards: The film was widely praised by critics for its realism and performances, but it did not win major international awards. It helped solidify Ken Loach and Paul Laverty's reputation for social realism in British cinema, and is often cited in discussions of Loach's body of work.