Ben X, 15

Verdict: Xcellent ****

MOMENTUM Pictures is going to have a hell of a time marketing this one—it’s (a) about online gaming, (b) aimed at teenagers and (c) entirely in Dutch.

But Ben X is well worth a look simply because it deals with some very tough subject matters—autism, bullying and internet escapism —very, very skilfully indeed.

Ben (Greg Timmermans) is a teenager lad with Asperger’s syndrome who escapes from his miserable school-life by obsessively playing an online fantasy game.

He befriends a female player and the pairy become close, which keeps him going as the bullying at school worsens.

But eventually Ben begins to crack—and his online friend helps him plan a big exit that will “reset” everything.

It’s a raw, powerful movie that will strike a chord with anyone who’s suffered at the hands of bullies been bullied or, and anyone with experience of autism.

And and first-time writer-director Nic Balthazar makes it all ring very painfully true, even the pretty far-fetched ending. Well worth a look—definitely one of the hidden gems of 2008.

OUT FRIDAY