Using religious imagery of the Passion of Christ, Ben X represents the possibility of a different response to violence. Afflicted more by others’ bullying and misunderstanding than by his autism, the main character responds to this violence with creative intelligence and effective use of media. The film’s stylistic innovation presents different versions of Ben’s reality in a way that thwarts spectators’ expectations and that implicates the viewer within habitual social responses to violence.
(Jury motivation)
