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World Fantastic Cinema

Ben X

Nic BALTHAZAR

Belgium2007 90min 35mm Color Korean Premiere

Synopsis

Our protagonist lives in two realities: the real reality and the virtual one where he is a popular and powerful on-line gamer. Presented in parallel editing, his two starkly-contrasting worlds often mix and match. For him, harsh reality of "this" world and fantastical reality of "that" world are both nothing but a cavalcade of struggles. Perhaps the only difference between the worlds is his sadly limited ability to observe and mimic people around him, as opposed to his caliber as an almighty game-world warrior. He feels safe in his virtual reality until one day a video turns up. In there are images of a banter that puts his real-world identity (a target for mockery) for clash with his formidable on-line persona, posing threat to the only haven he has ever known. Keeping audience in good suspense, the movie questions the meaning of a happy ending. (OAK Mina)

Diretor

Nic BALTHAZAR

He studied literature and theatre at Ghent University and became a theatre critic at the age of only 21. Everything came together in 2002 when he wrote the successful adolescent novel and subsequently wrote and directed a stage version featuring Roel Vanderstukken. Ben X is his first feature film.