Ben X

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.

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.

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.

The Irish Film Institute’s Lights Out! is a new national film festival for young people, taking place from July 12-26 all over Ireland. Nic Balthazar's 'Ben X' will screen July 13th at 4pm. The film follows a young man living with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Find out more about the festival, or see the whole program here.  

Nic Balthazar's 'Ben X' will screen at the Wellington Region of New Zealand International Film Festival. The film follows Ben, a young teen who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, escape his real life of bullying to the fantasy world of online games. The film will screen July 22nd and 22rd.

Find out more about the screenings here.

Fnd out more about the  New Zealand International Film Festival.

Today's Zaman has posted an article about The 15th annual Alt?n Koza film festival, that will take place from June 2nd to 8th in the Mediterranean province of Adana. Nic Balthazar's 'Ben X' will screen as part of the World Cinema section of the festival.

Read the full article here.

Visit the Official Alt?n Koza festival website for more information.

Jam! has posted a review of the Belgian film 'Ben X'. Directed by Nic Balthazar, the film centers around a young man with Asperger's Syndrome, who plays video games to escape his reality. As the horror of being a daily subject to bullying grows, Ben devises a plan. Then Scarlite comes into his life, the girl he has met in his on-line game. Greg Timmermans, who plays Ben, receives a glowing review.

"Timmermans does a terrific job in the lead. With his wide, soulful eyes, he underplays as the role requires, punctuated by spurts of manic energy. In a scene of public sexual humiliation that sets the plot rolling -- a trauma delivered by video to the 'Net -- he seems so disconnected as to be having an out-of-body experience."

Read the full review here

The Montreal Gazette sat down with 'Ben X' director Nic Balthazar. The Belgian director talks about the film's success after winning the best picture award and solo winner of its Ecumenical Prize and Public Prize - for the film deemed best by the public, at the Montreal World Film Festival last year. He also mentions that he will be directing an American remake of the film, and hopes to shoot in Montreal.

"I know Montreal is the favourite shooting location for many Hollywood producers, and I certainly think it would lend itself to this movie," he says. "Besides, Montreal is my good-luck charm."

Read the full article here.

Win 1 of 50 pairs of tickets to an exclusive screening of Ben X and a copy of Archlord, the video game featured in the movie. If you live in the Vancouver or Toronto area simply join the MovieSet Facebook Fanpage and leave a related wall post before April 16th. We’ll contact you if you’re a winner.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday April 16th, 2008

Time: 6:45pm

Toronto Location: Cumberland Theatre

Vancouver Location: Fifth Avenue Cinemas

Ben X, the story of a teenager who retreats into the world of online gaming after being bullied, opens in limited theaters on April 11th. The directorial debut of Nic Balthazar, starts its run in Montreal before expanding to Toronto and Vancouver on April 18th.