Film Movement: Ben X DVD Review

Film Movement presents a compelling story about a teenage boy struggling with the challenges of managing Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of Autism, at a time when the condition was very much an unknown entity. Film 9 of Year 6 of the Film Movement is Ben X, Directed by Nic Balthazar. Ben X is a Belgium film and the winner of the Heineken Red Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Ben (Greg Timmermans) rarely speaks and when he does his words are calculated and ritualistic. His life centers on school and his infatuation with a RPG video game and the beautiful heroine Scarlite. Because of he has Autism, Ben’s behavior are a bit odd to his classmates. Ben is tormented by classmates and ignored by apathetic teachers every day. Two particular bullies are relentless in their mental and physical abuse of Ben. With his mom and dad separated and his mother struggling to manage his meltdowns, Ben turns to Scarlite for support.

Made in Belgium, Ben X is presented in Flemish with English subtitles. As is common for the foreign and independent movies in the Film Movement portfolio, Ben X is a truly compelling story. In fact, it is one of the most emotionally complicated movies I have ever experienced. With the very real nature of Autism in society today, it is disturbing to watch a young man deal with the burden of being different before people really understood what it was that made him different.

Anyone who has ever struggled with others who are unique or different from societal norms must watch Ben X. Autism is a very real condition. There are inherent strengths that come with the condition but challenges are also present that affect your ability to communicate effectively with others. It is a condition that is often described as living “inside yourself”.

There are moments in Ben X that are maddening, frustrating, and disturbing. However, these deeply emotional scenes are a major part of building the story. Ben X is educational, enlightening, eye opening, uplifting, and sure to affect every viewer in some way. Ben X is a true MUST SEE. The DVD also comes wtih the month’s short film called “My Name is Lisa”, a 6 minute short film from Director Ben Shelton.

If you like award-winning independent and foreign films, join the Film Movement DVD of the Month Club!

Cast and Crew
Starring: Greg Timmermans
Starring: Laura Verlinden
Director: Nic Balthazar
Writer: Nic Balthazar

Running Time: 93 minutes
Rating: NR

ABOUT FILM MOVEMENT

Based in New York City, Film Movement is a full service North American distributor of award-winning independent and foreign film. From traditional film distribution methods like the theatrical release, DVD sales, DVD rentals, and television to new and unique film distribution techniques like our Film Festival On Demand channel and our first of its kind film-of-the-month-club, Film Movement is making it easier for independent and foreign film lovers from Alaska to Florida to see some of the world’s award-winning cinema.

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