My movie buddy recommended Ben X today and fortunately I was able to stream it. Ben X was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film as an entry from Belgium. Ben is a high school student who spends much of his free time playing online games and is currently at level 80 in his favorite fantasy game. His school life is not successful, he is target of two bullies who are unrelenting in making fun of him in front of his classmates.
There is a sickening scene where Ben is lifted onto a student desk and then is depantsed while everyone is filming him and calling him a loser. After this event, Ben is at the breaking point, he can't take it anymore. He is at the crossroads, will he commit suicide or will he fight back? This is a riveting story, it captured my attention that entire time. It also did a great job showing how Ben, a student with Asperger's Syndrome, is not the cause of problems in school. It is the others' insensitive and mean spirited reactions to him that are the problem. This is a must see for all those who work in education. The dialogue is Flemish with English subtitles.
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