Friday, May 14, 2010

Babies Movie May Violate Child Labor Laws, Critics Say

Does The Babies Movie Violate Child Labor Laws?

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” are somewhat mixed; when the 80-minute Focus Features documentary is unquestionably cute, it may lack substance. Adorable little ones and emotionally manipulative music may work in commercials, but a feature-length study demands a lot more depth, say some critics. In fact, less attention is being paid to no matter what 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 no fax payday loans no credit check to cover potential fines.

Did the ‘Babies’ movie mistreat just a little baby?

As outlined by USA Today , “Babies” baby little Hattie of San Francisco may not are used in a manner in synch with California child labor laws. California infants that are to appear in commercial films like “Babies” must have doctor and legal permission, plus they must be at least 15 days old. They’re only allowed on camera 20 minutes per day, and throughout that time a studio teacher and nurse (paid for by the film’s production business) must be present. These guidelines weren’t followed to the letter for Hattie within the “Babies” movie, claim some.

‘Babies’ movie producer says the rules didn’t apply to them

This isn’t because they were pulling the “Do you know who I am?” card. In actuality, “Babies” producer Amandine Billot informed the Associated Press the kids were cast when still unborn. The children were then filmed “in their natural environments, like a wildlife film of human babies,” as outlined by Billot. The California Labor Board has not officially opened an investigation into the “Babies” movie, but if they do, potential fines could range from $ 50 to $ 5,000 per infraction.

Blame it on California

With all the red tape and debt in California government, this could turn out to be quite a bad thing for Focus Features. Thus, CEO James Schamus of Focus Features is preparing for the worst. 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’?

As you’ll recall, “Babies” is not all bad. In fact, here’s one that’s quite positive from Beliefnet.com, which claims the documentary, when simple, is “meant to revel within 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

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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