Ben X

• MMORPGs, Autism and Normality : Nic Balthazar on Ben X

  Published on: September 2, 2008

  Exploring the implications of virtual worlds, Nic Balthazar's Ben X has been seen by two thirds of Belgium's teens, and is seeking to change attitudes towards autism and bullying.

  Netribution has posted an article on 'Ben X'. Director Nic Balthazar discusses transforming the novel into a film, which he prefers and how the experience has changed the way he views and relates to autism.

  "...it sounds really pretentious to say – I have seen that my movie has really helped. My movie has changed things in Belgium, where the film was such an incredible hit I think that two out of three young people have seen it. Such a lot of teachers, school principals and psychologists tell me that it has really changed the way in which people behave, so that maybe they’ll hold back for a moment and think before they start bullying people who might really have a huge psychological problem..."

  Read the full interview here.

   

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• Ben X Interview

  Published on: August 29, 2008

  Director Nic Balthazar discusses fantasy drama.

  IGN has posted an interview with 'Ben X' director Nic Balthazar. The film is based on the true story of a teen with Asperger syndrome, who was bullied at school and committed suicide. The story inspired Balthazar to write a novel, and make 'Ben X'. He discusses the challenges of presenting a mental illness on screen.

  "...Doing a film about mental illness is a very tricky thing because if you underplay it you miss the point, and if you overplay it you make a caricature of it all. So that's why we really went to some lengths to do our research right..."

  Read the full interview here.

  

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• Review Ben X

  Published on: August 27, 2008

  The Hornsey and Crouch End Journal has posted a review of 'Ben X'. Directed by Nic Balthazar, the Belgian film follows the story of am autistic teen who plays his favorite on line computer game Archlord avidly, trying hard to train himself for the real world he lives in.

  "...a film that's half intriguing drama, half impassioned social plea - and so much more rewarding than another movie about a whinging teenager..."

  Read the full review here.

  

   

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