Sydney film festival

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Ben X

18th June| 8.15PM | Dendy Opera Quays19th June| 3.45PM | Dendy Opera Quays

As the title suggests, at the centre of Nic Balthazar's debut feature is Ben - a withdrawn teen who rarely speaks. He's been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a variant of autism, although his mother isn't particularly convinced that this lengthy phrase has any meaning at all. She just knows he's uncommunicative and exhausting. Ben retreats into a fantasy computer game, derived from the actual game 'Overlord', in which he plays a heroic knight with a heroine sidekick. When he's the victim of a particularly nasty prank at school, he withdraws further into this fantasy world - with surprising effects. Winner of three awards at the Montreal Film Festival, including the Grand Prix, Balthazar's film as well as being an entertaining ride, looks at life for an autistic teen from an entirely new angle. JN

Dir Nic Balthazar
Scr Nic Balthazar, based on his novel 'Niets Was Alles Wat Hij Zei' and play 'Niets'
Prod Peter Bouckaert, Erwin Provoost
With Greg Timmermans, Marijke Pinoy, Laura Verlinden
Country Belguim-Netherlands
Language Dutch
Duration 93 mins
Distributor Aztec International
World Sales/Australian distributor Aztec International

en

Where is Winky's Horse?
WAAR IS HET PAARD VAN SINTERKLAAS?

15th June| 2.15PM | GU George Street22nd June| 12.00PM | GU George Street

In the hit of last year's festival, Winky Wong arrived from China, learnt about Christmas and made a horsy friend. In this charming follow-up (don't worry if you didn't see the first film), Winky is looking after St. Nicholas' big white horse, Amerigo. She's eager for her first riding lesson, but her parents say she has to wait until her next birthday. Her big day is ruined when she's told to ride Naf-Naf the pony instead of her favourite. Winky misbehaves and Amerigo runs away but she has no-one to tell; her mum and dad are busy with her new-born sister. A delightful tale with a happy horsy ending and a thoughtful look at what a new baby might mean to a little girl. Recommended for ages 6 and up. JN

Dir Mischa Kamp
Scr Tamara Bos
With Ebbie Tam, Aaron Wan, Hanyl Han
Country Netherlands/Belgium
Language Dutch
Year 2007
Duration 83 mins
Distributor BosBros Film-TV Productions
World Sales/Australian distributor BosBros Film-TV Productions