Jason KingBenX ($14-)
June 20th 2008 03:13
BenX ($14)
As the title suggests, at the centre of Nic Balthazar's debut feature is Ben - a withdrawn teen who rarely speaks. He's been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a variant of autism, although his mother isn't particularly convinced that this lengthy phrase has any meaning at all. She just knows he's uncommunicative and exhausting. Ben retreats into a fantasy computer game, derived from the actual game 'ArchLord', in which he plays a heroic knight with a heroine sidekick. When he's the victim of a particularly nasty prank at school, he withdraws further into this fantasy world - with surprising effects. Winner of three awards at the Montreal Film Festival, including the Grand Prix, Balthazar's film as well as being an entertaining ride, looks at life for an autistic teen from an entirely new angle.
The title Ben X is the character's name, but when spoken quickly in Dutch, you get Benniks, meaning: I am nothing.. The novel was inspired by the true story of an autistic boy who committed suicide because of bullying. The movie was the Belgian entry for the Academy Awards 2007 in the category Best Foreign Language Film but failed to receive the actual nomination.
I thoroughly enjoyed this Sydney Film Festvial entrant and was glad I got the chance to see it. It was quite popular so I think we may see a limited release at a Dendy or a Palace cinema. So keep your eyes out. It was such a difficult night for me going to see this film. I sat in the middle of a row close the front and got seated in on both sides from other patrons and then a flu hit me. No warning just a damn flu (which I still have incase this review goes all drugged out) - I started sneezing and then I couldn't breathe properly so basically stopped breathing as I didn't like the gurgling sound coming from my nose. Then I had to use my sleeve as a tissue and the people next to me started looking at me as though I was being hunted by Jack Bauer for releasing a neuro toxin into the CBD. It was mortifying, but I wasn't going anywhere and when I told Sam about it he laughed at me and said I shouldn't worry about these things because I will never see these people again. Does this make me neurotic?
Anyway - BENX - I was surprised while watching. I liked the idea of someone who plays an online role playing game and getting it confused and blurred with reality. I myself have a slight addiction to World of Warcraft which looks exactly like this game and had often wished I could open my weapons bag and cast a spell on some annoying asses in my general day to day passing. However this is a minor part of this film and its main theme is school bullying, something that still causes a slight sweat to break out when I remember my troubles at school. It can be THE most frightening thing in the world to have someone constantly harassing you. Ben is like a timebomb waiting to explode. You can see it building in him and I started picturing a pending massacre in the school. And maybe this is what happens - you will have to see. Hehe
This film also has a completely different look into a teen caught up with Asperger's Syndrome. Greg Timmermans is absolutely sensational as Ben and displays an amazing acting ability for his first film. His relationship with his mum and brother and his lack of expressed emotion scream out for help. It has a slight reminder of the film Awakenings when Ben is force fed some ecstasy and emerges from his internal self isolation. The computer game character in his mind is there for us all to see that inside this trapped mind is a true hero - this was brilliant story writing. The pain the family also has to suffer through is heartbreaking. But this is a fictional tale and you may or may not get a happy ending.
I recommend everyone having a view of this one - it has some funny moments and some really sad ones but will lift you in spirit. Worth $14-
As the title suggests, at the centre of Nic Balthazar's debut feature is Ben - a withdrawn teen who rarely speaks. He's been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a variant of autism, although his mother isn't particularly convinced that this lengthy phrase has any meaning at all. She just knows he's uncommunicative and exhausting. Ben retreats into a fantasy computer game, derived from the actual game 'ArchLord', in which he plays a heroic knight with a heroine sidekick. When he's the victim of a particularly nasty prank at school, he withdraws further into this fantasy world - with surprising effects. Winner of three awards at the Montreal Film Festival, including the Grand Prix, Balthazar's film as well as being an entertaining ride, looks at life for an autistic teen from an entirely new angle.
The title Ben X is the character's name, but when spoken quickly in Dutch, you get Benniks, meaning: I am nothing.. The novel was inspired by the true story of an autistic boy who committed suicide because of bullying. The movie was the Belgian entry for the Academy Awards 2007 in the category Best Foreign Language Film but failed to receive the actual nomination.
I thoroughly enjoyed this Sydney Film Festvial entrant and was glad I got the chance to see it. It was quite popular so I think we may see a limited release at a Dendy or a Palace cinema. So keep your eyes out. It was such a difficult night for me going to see this film. I sat in the middle of a row close the front and got seated in on both sides from other patrons and then a flu hit me. No warning just a damn flu (which I still have incase this review goes all drugged out) - I started sneezing and then I couldn't breathe properly so basically stopped breathing as I didn't like the gurgling sound coming from my nose. Then I had to use my sleeve as a tissue and the people next to me started looking at me as though I was being hunted by Jack Bauer for releasing a neuro toxin into the CBD. It was mortifying, but I wasn't going anywhere and when I told Sam about it he laughed at me and said I shouldn't worry about these things because I will never see these people again. Does this make me neurotic?
Anyway - BENX - I was surprised while watching. I liked the idea of someone who plays an online role playing game and getting it confused and blurred with reality. I myself have a slight addiction to World of Warcraft which looks exactly like this game and had often wished I could open my weapons bag and cast a spell on some annoying asses in my general day to day passing. However this is a minor part of this film and its main theme is school bullying, something that still causes a slight sweat to break out when I remember my troubles at school. It can be THE most frightening thing in the world to have someone constantly harassing you. Ben is like a timebomb waiting to explode. You can see it building in him and I started picturing a pending massacre in the school. And maybe this is what happens - you will have to see. Hehe
This film also has a completely different look into a teen caught up with Asperger's Syndrome. Greg Timmermans is absolutely sensational as Ben and displays an amazing acting ability for his first film. His relationship with his mum and brother and his lack of expressed emotion scream out for help. It has a slight reminder of the film Awakenings when Ben is force fed some ecstasy and emerges from his internal self isolation. The computer game character in his mind is there for us all to see that inside this trapped mind is a true hero - this was brilliant story writing. The pain the family also has to suffer through is heartbreaking. But this is a fictional tale and you may or may not get a happy ending.
I recommend everyone having a view of this one - it has some funny moments and some really sad ones but will lift you in spirit. Worth $14-
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Fuckin life got in the way of me making it to any film but the opening of the festival. So depressed!
Ben X was high on my must see list and when I am back on my feet I intend to see it ASAP. For that reason i didn't read your review because spoilers are my Kryptonite, (well that and Tom Hanks) anyway very jealous of the cinema gems you have seen prerelease...oh well next year I will be attending some big festivals, so it should balance out.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
This last fortnight has been a comedy of errors (I'm not sure why I'm using a cliche). Anyhoo, when I see it, I'll come back.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
great review Jason
Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn