“Babies,” a new movie documentary by Thomas Balmes, follows the lives of four babies from different parts of the world. There is no dialogue but music accompanying scenes of the kids in their natural environments. Reviews of “Babies” have been somewhat mixed; when the 80-minute Focus Features documentary is unquestionably cute, it may lack substance. Showing cute infants and heightening the mood with upbeat music may work in commercials, but in a documentary this tactic offers little insight into an infant’s life. In fact, less attention is being paid to whichever message the “Babies” movie may offer than whether the documentary violates child labor laws in its handling of the youngsters – and whether Focus Features will need instant cash loans to cover potential fi! nes.
A ‘Babies’ movie that mishandles its babies?
”Babies” baby Hattie from San Francisco may not have been used in ways California law deems proper for infants, reports USA Today. In that state, infants must be at least 15 days old and have a doctor’s note and legal permits before they could be filmed commercially. Said “Babies” within the movie are only allowed on film a maximum of 20 minutes per day, and during that time the studio must provide a nurse and teacher which the studio finances completely. In the case of the “Babies” movie, critics claim they didn’t follow the rules with little Hattie.
Film producer said the exact same rules didn’t apply
Perhaps the producer was attempting to big-time Hattie’s family. It’s because, as producer Amandine Billot told the Associated Press, “Babies” cast the four infant stars when they were nevertheless in the womb. The kids were then filmed “in their natural environments, like a wildlife film of human babies,” according to Billot. The California Labor Board has not officially opened an investigation to the “Babies” movie, but if they do, potential fines could range from $ 50 to $ 5,000 per infraction.
California, the anti-’Babies’ state
California certainly needs cash, so they could easily determine to go after the film. CEO James Schamus is ready for a fight, however. He called the allegations against the “Babies” movie “irresponsible conjecture,” reports the AP. ”The filmmakers a lot more than adhered to both the letter and spirit of the law,” exclaimed Schamus.
Curious to see those ‘Babies’?
Remember, “Babies” has received some optimistic notes. Beliefnet.com maintains in their positive review the point of the film is to “revel in the miracles, radiant innocence and fun nature of babies. You won’t be able to leave the theater without feelings of warmth, happiness and delight”. Just like Sandra Bullock, brining new “Babies” into your life is not a bad thing.
Sources for the article
USA Today
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/05/did-babies-break-the-law-/1
Beliefnet.com
http://blog.beliefnet.com/yourlittlecuties/2010/05/movie-review-babies.html
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