May 10, 2010 | 12:22 pm

Babies Will Change The World, If We Let Them

Posted by Ilana Angel

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Ponijao, One of the stars of BABIES

I went to see the movies BABIES yesterday.  My son took me for Mother’s Day and I must tell you, I loved it.  It is a beautiful movie, that will make you laugh, cry, and think about the world.  It will remind you that no matter where you are from, we are all the same.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Thomas Balmès, BABIES simultaneously follows four babies around the world – from birth to first steps. The children are, Ponijao, from Namibia; Bayarjargal, from Mongolia, Mari, from Japan; and Hattie, from the United States.

There is no narration, or dialogue, just cooing, crying, and laughing.  I was entranced by these beautiful babies, and felt honored to see them grow.  As I watched them, I was reminded of my own son, when he was a baby.  It is a fabulous movie, and I highly recommend it.

Children are all born innocent.  This movie shows us how small the world really is, and how connected all human beings are.  We raise our children with our beliefs, and teach them what we know.  We mold them into the adults they will become, and show them how to be parents.

The film shows us that regardless of where you are born, what language you speak, or what your traditions are, babies are all the same.  To watch these kids, from four corners of the earth, growing up so completely different, yet exactly the same, is eye opening.

I left the movie feeling both sad, and inspired.  Sad that people can take innocent lives and fill them with hate.  Inspired, that the cycle of hate can end, and we can create a better world.  I know it sounds silly and naïve, but it’s true, and that gives me hope.

My son thought it was a great movie.  He laughed a lot, and when the babies did things that were particularly funny or gross, he asked me if he ever did the same thing when he was a baby.  We came home and watched movies of him as a baby, and it was the greatest Mother’s Day ever.

My son was moved, and left wanting to learn more about the world.  We talked about the four families featured in the film, and he had interesting insight into what he saw.  He is 14 years old, and this simple movie, has inspired him to look at the world in a new way.

He wants to visit Africa, and help teach locals to grow their own food.  He wants to learn about Genghis Kahn, and watch the movie Mongol again.  He wants to study the architecture of Tokyo, and go on holiday to San Francisco.  He wants to understand why people are so mean to each other.

My son thinks gay people should be able to get married.  He believes people are in charge of her their bodies He understands that you never hit a woman, or a child.  He cheers for the underdog, thinks all men are created equal, and does not care what color people are, or what their faith is.

My son believes these things, because I taught him these things.  He is filled with love and hope, because I raised him that way.  We all have the power to build a better world through our children, regardless of where we are from, or what we believe.  That is a lot of power.

Everyone should see the movie BABIES.  It will change how you look at the world, and your place in it.  I am blessed to have a child, and proud of myself for raising him to be a wonderful human being.  Teach your kids to be good people, respect themselves, respect each other, and keep the faith.