Babies

Theatrical Release Date: 2010 05 07 (USA - Limited)

UPC: 025192047671

Studio: Universal Studios

MPAA Rating: PG   Contains:[Brief Nudity]

Summary: Filmmaker Thomas Balmes offers an adorable glimpse at the first phase of life in this film following four newborn babies through their first year of life. Ponijao, Bayar, Mari, and Hattie were born in Namibia, Mongolia, Japan, and California, respectively. By capturing their earliest stage of development on camera, Balmes reveals just how much we all have in common, despite being born to different parents and raised in different cultures. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Category: Culture & Society

Awards: Film Presented – Hot Docs International Film Festival

Features: The Babies - Three Years Later

Everybody Loves...Your Babies Sweepstakes Winners

Babies

Format: Blu-ray

Release Date: 09/28/2010

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DHMA null, DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo

Runtime: 79 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Perry Seibert

Thomas Balmes' documentary Babies could not have a more basic premise. He followed four children, born in different areas of the world -- Ponijao, from Namibia; Mongolian Bayarjargal; Mari, from Tokyo, Japan; and San Franciscan Hattie -- through the first 12 months of their lives. While that description, and the trailer, makes the film appear to be something like a greatest hits collection from a National Geographic YouTube channel devoted to infants, Balmes deftly juxtaposes the children's different cultures in such a way that the movie stimulates your brain while plucking your heartstrings. The movie's MO is plain from the opening minutes, where we see the birthing condition for each of the children. Ponijao comes into the world in a modest hut after his mother rubs red pigment over her pregnancy-swollen belly, while Hattie arrives in a state-of-the-art birthing center surrounded by medical equipment and technicians. While never taking its gaze off the four stars, the movie quietly, but consistently, makes you aware of their surroundings. If you've never been to one of these places, you get the joy of discovering them just as the kids do. The most surprising aspect of Babies is that the filmmakers made the genius decision not to use any narration whatsoever. They trust viewers to take from the film what they want, be it a study of how newborns are treated all over the globe, or simply an excuse to let out audible "oooooohs" when the adorable little ones laugh, discover their hands, and take their first steps. And by keeping the whole thing to just about 75 minutes, Balmes and those tykes never wear out their welcome. The four kids are all charmers in their own unique ways, as well. Highlights include a memorable tantrum from Mari, Hattie getting bored during an organized play session, and Bayarjargal both playing with a cat and discovering the joy of unraveling a roll of paper. Sure, Babies is almost criminally cute, but it's also surprisingly engaging in an admirably low-key way. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Bruno Coulais  Composer (Music Score) 
Alain Chabat  Producer 
Thomas Balmes  Director 
Amandine Billot  Producer 
Christine Rouxel  Producer 
Ponijao  Actor 
Mari  Actor 
Hattie  Actor 
Bayarjargal  Actor 
Tarererua  Actor 
Hindere  Actor 
Seiko  Actor 
Fumito  Actor 
Susie  Actor 
Frazer  Actor 
Mandakh  Actor 
Purev  Actor 

Country: France