I just finished watching the documentary, Babies. From the moment I first caught the previews on TV, I knew I would love this film. And I really, really did! The film follows four babies for a year of their lives, all living in different parts of the world: Mongolia, Tokyo, Namibia, and San Fransisco. Watch the official trailer here.
Why oh why is there no Indian baby?! I guess that is the only downfall of the film. 
It's a 'play now' feature on Netflix. Otherwise, you may have to find it online or rent it. And once you watch it, I would love to know who your favorite baby is. Psst, mine is Ponijao!
Of course the American baby has a stupid name like “Hattie”…..
oh Jubeee! lol
The Mongolian baby was my favorite, he was so funny. And his brother was pretty funny too, poor kid he seemed kind of jealous. The part where the borther hits him and the baby starts to cry and then you hear the Mom yelling at the brother and the baby gets this look on his face like “haha now you’re gonna get it” was priceless! I thought the American baby seemed a little spoiled. I thought it was funny when she ran away from the weird hippy sing-a-long and her Dad just kept right on singing. I’m very liberal and a bit of a hippy, but the American parents seemed a little over the top. I wish they has chosen a family from somewhere more…middle America? But maybe Namibians also wish they had chosen a family that…wore clothes? Who knows. Overall it was a great movie.
Emily, your views are spot on with mine! The Mongolian brother did seem jealous, and took out his jealousy by teasing his little brother relentlessly. I loved how both the Mongolian and Namibian babies were almost always exclusively outside, learning from nature – while the San Fran and Tokyo baby were mostly indoors. Also, while the San Fran baby’s mom was obviously trying to be the best mom in a new age sort of way, I don’t think anything can beat the natural surroundings the Mongolian and Namibian babies were provided. And yes, sadly, the American baby did seem spoiled but so did the Tokyo baby. I guess it was just too much of a contrast from places like Namibia and Mongolia to San Fran and Tokyo.
You can go to the film’s website (click on the ‘Babies’ link) and read the parent’s reactions to the film. I especially liked hearing what Ponijao’s mother had to say.
I haven’t seen this yet but now that you mention it’s on Netflix’s play now I will have to watch it! I do admit that I have been avoiding watching this film because I have been in the phase “everyone around me is getting married/is married/is pregnant/just had another baby.” I love anything and everything about babies so I didn’t want to go deeper in my self pity phase
I am in that phase too, Kayla! But, it didn’t affect me too much. I enjoyed it more for the four different locations and seeing how each baby grows up in a different environment. Don’t worry, we’ll both get there one day!
Bayar!
Hey MDG,
I posted a loosely related blog today.
Would love your support.
http://badbhabi.wordpress.com/2010/10/16/good-news-and-bad-news/