Babies (original title Bébé(s)) is a 79 minutes French documentary by Thomas Balmès that follows four babies from different parts of the world during the first year of their lives. The four babies are: Ponijao from Opuwo, Namibia, Bayar (short for Bayarjargal) from Bayanchandmani, Mongolia, Mari from Tokyo, Japan and Hattie from San Francisco, United States. Without narration, the babies are shown in their natural environment doing what all babies do despite ethnic differences: eat, cry, sleep and indulge their curious nature.
Ponijao is a baby girl who has eight older siblings. She is immediately shared with a community of mothers where they all contribute to the caring of the children, including feeding and grooming. In the rural surroundings, she is barely clothed and free to roam and explore, eating whatever she picks up from the ground. With another baby, Ponijao can be found mimicking their mothers, grinding flour using stones. Lacking any inhibition, she finds it curious when she notices an extra appendage on another baby, who's a boy.
Bayar is a baby boy who lives in a yurt with his family and is swaddled in many layers by his mother. He is left alone with the farm animals, including an agressive rooster, and learns to defend against his bullying older brother Degi (short for Delgerjargal). When he is taking a bath, a goat comes over for a drink of water. To him, it is natural having the animals around him.
Mari and Hattie are both raised in an urban environment. They are both nurtured by their parents and are the center of their parents' universe, spoiled with many toys. Mari lives in a tall apartment building with her parents and the family cat.. Her epic moment is the temper tantrum where she falls to the floor and pounds her legs with all her heart. Hattie's parents are very "green" and over-indulges her. There is even baby yoga and a tribal chant that sends Hattie screaming, trying to leave the room; whereas across the world, Ponijao loves to sit with her family enjoying the tribal music.
In addition to the babies' first year of life, Balmès also compares the different birth rituals of the four babies. Ponijao's mother rubs a red ochre clay paste on her belly to wash herself. Bayarjargal's mother chooses a water birth method in a local hospital. Mari's mother uses red ink to write on her newborn's feet. Hattie's mother chooses a home birth with two midwives and the hospital monitors Hattie's health after she is born.
Despite the vastly different cultures, each baby learns to crawl, walk and talk. There is no one more superior than the other, from the mother who wipes her baby's bottom with her knee to the mother who clads the baby in diapers. Whether the learning aids are from nature or from a toy store, each child develops and absorbs knowledge from exploring their surroundings. If nothing else, the film Babies reflects on how universal we are, despite our seeming differences.
Starring: Ponijao, Tarererua (mother), Hindere (father); Bayarjargal, Mandakh (mother), Purev (father), Delgerjargal (brother); Hattie, Susie (mother), Frazer (father); Mari, Seiko (mother), Fumito (father)
Babies is available exclusively at Target stores on August 29, 2010 and will be available at all major retailers on September 28, 2010.
Special Features:
• The Babies: Three Years Later - Looks at Ponijao, Bayar, Mari and Hattie, who are now four-years-old, and their respective parents
• Everybody Loves...Your Babies Sweepstakes Winners - Winning photos and videos of Babies fans.
• BD-Live *Blu-ray exclusive*
• Pocket Blu *Blu-ray exclusive*
Best Prices:
DVD - $16.99 at Target
Blu-ray - $22.99 at Target
August 29 - 31, 2010 DVD & Blu-ray Releases:
August 31, 2010 DVD & Blu-ray: House, M.D.: Season Six
August 31, 2010 DVD & Blu-ray: Sons of Anarchy: Season Two
August 31, 2010 DVD & Blu-ray: NCIS: Los Angeles - The First Season
August 31, 2010 DVD & Blu-ray: The Vampire Diaries: The Complete First Season
August 31, 2010 DVD: FlashForward: The Complete Series [$15 coupon]
August 31, 2010 DVD & Blu-ray: Why Did I Get Married Too?
August 31, 2010 DVD & Blu-ray: Marmaduke
More Coupons and Deals:
DVD & Blu-ray coupons & deals $3.99 DVDs, $15 off FlashForward, TV Shows $10 gift card, rebate, more
Other News:
November 16, 2010: First look at Avatar Collector's Edition on DVD and Blu-ray
Stores:
Best Buy: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
BJ's Wholesale Club: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
Blockbuster: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
FYE: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
Kmart: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
Toys 'R' Us: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
Target: New York City locations or use the store locator for other areas.
Walmart: Long Island locations or use the store locator for other areas.
Amazon.com charges sales tax for all New York shipping addresses.
Comments
I heard about this Thomas Balmes' movie when it first came out. SOunds like an interesting documentary.
This was a surprising film actually. Four babies four different styles, four countries. It was also a surprise at the box office.
I've been seeing the trailers for Babies on cable tv. Really seems like a fascinating documentary. It's always interesting to seehow others live
I love learning about lifestyles in different cultures, child rearing in particular. My husband likes babies. I might just have to get this one.
not usually a doc fan - but this looks really interesting. will have to check it out. thanks!
I can't wait to see the Thomas Balmes' movie about babies. Four different babies, four different cultures. It just goes to show that there really is no "perfect" formula for raising a child. As long as they have love, food, shelter and family, they'll grow up happy.
very cute!
Fascinating, there’s so much to be learned from this documentary
i cant wait to watch this one, very interesting.
big up Thomas oh....i forgot to mention that u r cute urself.
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