”Babies,” the documentary movie by Thomas Balmes, is a chronicle of the lives of four infants from different backgrounds. There is no dialogue but music accompanying scenes of the kids in their natural environments. ”Babies” reviews make a point of reminding how cute it all is, but the 80-minute film distributed by Focus Features may not have that additional something that goes beyond the surface goo-goo. Cute little babies moving in time to music is the domain of 30-second commercials, not severe films. The “Babies” movie has been gaining less plot attention and more noise for claims the product may have violated child labor laws (and may need instant cash loans to dig their way out from under a potential mountain of fines).
Did the ‘Babies’ movie mistreat just a little baby?
”Babies” baby Hattie from San Francisco may not are used in ways California law deems proper for infants, reports USA Today. In California, an infant that is to appear in a commercial film must be 15 days old or more, have a special doctor’s note and a variety of permits complete before filming can commence. Said “Babies” in 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 same rules didn’t apply
The producer’s actual reason was much less standoffish. In actuality, “Babies” producer Amandine Billot informed the Associated Press that the kids were cast while nevertheless unborn. Upon their entry into the outside world, said Billot, the kids were recorded “in their natural environments, like a wildlife film of human babies”. While no investigation has officially begun, the “Babies” movie team could face fines ranging from $ 50 to as much as $ 5,000 per event if child labor experts decide to move forward.
Blame it on California
California certainly needs money, so they could easily decide to go after the film. CEO James Schamus is ready for a fight, nevertheless. He told the AP that no child labor laws were violated and vehemently stated that “irresponsible conjectures” against the “Babies” movie are just that – mere speculation. “The filmmakers more than adhered to both the letter and spirit of the law,” he said.
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”. It’s a flick Sandra Bullock could probably use right about now.
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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