Ben X (2007)

One of the many advantages of knowing people who work in the media center at my school's library, is that awesome, fairly obscure films are uncovered and I get to see them! For free! And probably I never would have known about them otherwise! Anyway last week it was time for Ben X. This is Nic Balthazar's directing and writing debut, and according to the three sentences on his Wikipedia page, "in Flanders he is well known as a movie critic and television presenter". I'm certainly glad he chose to move behind the camera, because this film is wonderful. It follows Belgian high schooler Ben (Greg Timmermans) with Asperger's Syndrome as he deals with insensitive schoolmates as well as various inner conflicts arising from an inability to understand social interactions. His mother (Marijke Pinoy) is loving and supportive, but cannot relate to her son (nor he to her). His father left years ago, leaving her to care for Ben and his little brother. Ben spends most of his time at home playing a World of Warcraft-like game, finding comfort in the strength, anonymity, and non-physical relationships it gives him. He often views his regular life in terms of the video game, seeing bullies as brutish ogres, and himself as an armored warrior. He's fallen for his "healer" gaming partner, settling into conversations with her easily due to the lack of actual presence. She wants to meet with him in person, but attacks by his classmates coupled with his own retiscence to interact with anyone may hinder their meeting.

The sequencing of the film goes back and forth between Ben's self-narrated day-to-day life, parallels to the game, flashbacks describing the onset and discovery of his autism, and documentary-like interviews with his mother, schoolmates, and teachers. There is a well-paced build-up to the surprising but satisfying ending. The cinematography is interesting, with many hand-held shots and fuzzy or ultra-bright visuals to heighten Ben's feelings of alienation. It wasn't overdone or over-experimental, and I found it especially impressive for a debut feature. Greg Timmermans, while clearly older than a high school student, was really good in the role of Ben, conveying his confusion and aloofness without a lot of dialogue. The story is simple but very interesting and affecting. Personally I also really dug hearing them speak Flemish, a language I don't think I'd ever heard aloud. It's a lot like German, so I felt like I was on the brink of understanding it without actually understanding anything. Anyway, Ben X is a creative, engrossing film! Watch it!

Also: Balthazar is supposedly doing an American remake, Haneke-style, but there's no recent news. I have mixed feelings.