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Babies

Name: Babies
Director: Thomas Balmès
Released: 2010
Duration: 79 min

Representation Score

4.3/10

Fair

2010

Director

Thomas Balmès

Runtime

79 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Babies succeeds as a global study of human development by avoiding Western-centric norms. By featuring rural Namibian and Mongolian infants alongside urban subjects from Tokyo and San Francisco, the film presents a pluralistic view of humanity. The documentary uses visual comparisons to contrast communal, nomadic traditions with highly structured, technological environments. This juxtaposition subtly critiques hyper-modernized, capitalist approaches to child-rearing by presenting traditional lifestyles with dignity and organic integration. While the film lacks explicit political discourse or LGBTQ+ representation, its visual architecture challenges the 'standard' upbringing. It offers a diverse spectrum of human experience that goes beyond Anglo-Saxon norms.

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Category Breakdown

Does Babies have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on infancy and caregiving, with no visible presence of LGBTQ+ characters or narratives addressing non-straight relationships.

How does Babies portray gender?

Fair

The narrative centers on maternal and female-led caregiving, avoiding rigid patriarchal structures by emphasizing the domestic and nurturing spheres.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Babies?

Excellent

The film showcases a global perspective, presenting Himba and Mongolian communities alongside urban Japanese and American subjects, highlighting a non-Western-centric view of human development.

How does Babies represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The structure invites a comparative analysis of cultural values, contrasting communal, resource-sharing lifestyles with individualistic, consumer-driven environments of highly modernized urban settings.

Does Babies include disability representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on the first year of life and healthy developmental milestones, with no specific depictions of visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Global breadth that avoids a Western-centric perspective.
Dignified portrayal of traditional, communal, and nomadic lifestyles.
Effective use of visual comparison to highlight diverse developmental paths.

Limited or Absent

Absence of LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight narratives.
No depiction of visible or invisible disabilities.
Limited focus on diverse gender roles beyond maternal caregiving.

Official Synopsis

A non-narrated documentary following the lovesome lives of four infants from birth to their first birthday. The babies featured are two from rural areas: Ponijao from Opuwo, Namibia, and Bayar from Bayanchandmani, Mongolia, as well as two from urban areas: Mari from Tokyo, Japan, and Hattie from San Francisco, USA.

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