Babies

( 11 )

Overview

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.
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More About This Product

Overview

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.
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Special Features

The babies - three years later; Everybody loves...your babies sweepstakes winners
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - 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.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 9/28/2010
  • UPC: 025192047664
  • Original Release: 2009

    • Rating:

  • Source: Universal Studios
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: Wide Screen / Subtitled
  • Sound: Dolby AC-3 Surround Sound
  • Time: 1:19:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 196

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Ponijao Participant
Mari Participant
Hattie Participant
Bayarjargal Participant
Tarererua Participant
Hindere Participant
Seiko Participant
Fumito Participant
Susie Participant
Frazer Participant
Mandakh Participant
Purev Participant
Technical Credits
Thomas Balmes Director, Cinematographer, Screenwriter
Samy Bardet Sound Editor
Raynald Bertrand Editor
Amandine Billot Producer
Alain Chabat Producer, Screenwriter
Bruno Coulais Score Composer
Olivier Dandre Sound/Sound Designer
Pierre Gamet Sound/Sound Designer
Thierry Lebon Sound Mixer
Armelle Mahe Sound Editor
Craig McKay Editor
Christine Rouxel Producer
Chez Wam Executive Producer
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Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Babies
1. Main Titles [1:35]
2. Namibia [3:00]
3. Mongolia [3:09]
4. Japan [1:20]
5. USA [1:54]
6. Home [5:35]
7. Nurse [2:48]
8. Bath [4:11]
9. Care [4:19]
10. Wonder [3:19]
11. Interact [4:11]
12. Kitty [4:05]
13. Amaze [1:20]
14. Crawl [4:23]
15. Talk [6:35]
16. Grow [4:32]
17. Walk [5:22]
18. Life [4:39]
19. Beauty [4:46]
20. End Titles [4:43]
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Menu

Disc #1 -- Babies
   Play
   Scenes
   Bonus
      The Babies - Three Years Later
      Everybody Loves...Your Babies Sweepstakes Winners
   Setup
      Subtitles: English SDH
      Subtitles: Off
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 11 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(6)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(3)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 11 Customer Reviews

  • Posted April 25, 2011

    An Automatic Favorite

    Babies is a movie - but not a normal one. With its limited dialogue and phenominal simplicity, Babies will fill your heart. The message of this film is simple - the love that oozes from motherhood is universal, no matter what ethnicity. It also shows the special characteristics of young children and how they impact our lives in such a positive way. I recommend that all women (even those that are not mothers) should watch this movie because it will inspire them in ways that are unmatched. People say that 'Babies is boring'. Well, I strongly disagree. Those people just need too open their eyes and realize the beauty of life. A fantastic movie that will leave you breathless and chanting at the top of your lungs for more!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

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    Posted November 10, 2010

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    Posted November 21, 2010

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    Posted September 24, 2010

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    Posted October 4, 2010

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    Posted October 8, 2010

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    Posted April 12, 2011

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    Posted September 30, 2010

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    Posted October 16, 2010

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    Posted October 23, 2010

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Sort by: Showing all of 11 Customer Reviews