Babies

Babies is a documentary film that chronicles the first year of life for four infants from different parts of the world: Ponijao in Namibia, Bayarjargal in Mongolia, Hjalte in Japan, and Mari in San Francisco. The film offers an intimate, observational look at their daily lives, focusing on their development, interactions with their families and environments, and the universal experiences of infancy.

Babies was widely praised by critics for its heartwarming and observational approach to showcasing the universalities of childhood. Reviewers lauded its ability to capture genuine moments of development and connection across diverse cultures, often highlighting its charming and life-affirming nature.

• Praised for its charming and intimate portrayal of early childhood development.

• Appreciated for its observational style that highlights universal experiences across cultures.

• Seen as a heartwarming and life-affirming documentary.

Google audience: Google users largely found 'Babies' to be a charming and touching film that effectively showcased the universal aspects of infancy across different cultures. Many appreciated the observational nature and the cute interactions of the children, describing it as heartwarming and a feel-good movie.

Nominated for Best Documentary at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Director Thomas Balmes and his crew lived in close proximity to the families for extended periods, sometimes for months at a time, to build trust and capture authentic moments of the babies' lives.