Fifteen Candles

We were all young and reckless once, with our untamed youth. At the age of fifteen or sixteen, in the prime of youth, we often gathered in groups, easily picking up bad habits. The main character is of good character but forms a close bond with a classmate involved in organized crime. One day, the young boy discovers that his mother has developed kidney disease and needs a large sum of money to buy a dialysis machine. In a moment of impulsiveness, he and his friend from the underworld plan to extort money from a beverage company.

Directed by Din Ning, Fifteen Candles leans on a strong ensemble — May Law Koon-Lan, Bobby Yip Kin-Sang, Chan Chiu-Ming — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2000.