My exclusive interview with BABIES movie director, Thomas Balmès

I was selected from the BzzAgent Ambassador program to have an exclusive 30 minute interview with the BABIES movie director, Thomas Balmès.

Thomas Balmès has been working as an independent director and producer of nonfiction films, specializing in international co-productions, since 1992. He has directed films such as Bosnia Hotel, Maharajah Burger; Mad Cows; Holy Cows, and The Gospel According to the Papuans by which he was honored with the Silver Spire Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival.

Below you will find the details about the interview.

YA: "What was the concept behind the creation of the movie BABIES?"
TB: "This movie was inspired around the simple, pure an Innocent life that you see in a child. It took about 5 years in the making and it was in collaboration with another French director. We didn't had any specific agenda and we were looking to produce a feel good, entertaining movie. The selection of the countries was based on diversity and the common link between us all, babies."

YA: "What type of challenges/barriers did you encountered during filming?"
TB: "Location, working on small spaces, patience, language. We received great commitments from the families to allows us being part of their daily routine for a little over a year. As a father, I had to motivate myself to continue with this project as I was away from my own family for a long time. This was an experience of a lifetime that I will always treasure in my heart"

YA: "Is there a sequel planned for the future?"
TB: "Not at this moment. We continue to have a strong relationship with the families as we were with them since their children were born. Who knows what the future might holds."

This movie is about four culturally different babies (Namibia, Mongolia, Japan, San Francisco-CA) during the first year of their lives and we will learn that no matter which part of the world you might live in, babies will always be the same.

I am looking forward to see this movie in theaters across the country (check your local listings) starting May 7.

Enjoy this video from "The Insider" about the movie.

Public Service Announcement from the movie BABIES on March of Dimes

BABIES and March of Dimes are proud to partner together to help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies! Visit MarchOfDimes.com or text BABIES to 20222 to make a $5 donation. Celebrate BABIES in theatres Mother's Day Weekend and join over 1 million people in March of Dimes annual "March for BABIES" Walk!

Another Red Light

Why is it that when you are in a hurry you always get red lights?

It almost feel like the world is agaisnt you but that is not the case. You see what happens is that the lights are coordinated according to the speed limit. And since we tend to go a "little" over when we are late we tend to run into this problem.

So the next time, don't blame it on the world just try to be on time.

Crown Minitries

A couple of years ago, we heard about a program called Crown Ministries that assist people aligned their finances according to the Bible and God's teaching. Finally the opportunity came to our Church and my husband and I decided to sign up for the course.

The course is 10 weeks long and even though I am going into my second week, I have learned so much. Wow, talk about a wake up call! This is great, just to learn more about God and his teaching. Now I am able to see my financial situation differently and try to align it better with my spiritual life.

Now if I can only get my husband in the same page! Pray that we can both learn and share best practices.

Disney's Vero Beach Resort - A Birthday Tradition

My boy’s birthday is in July and we have a new tradition in our family, we visit Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. This great resort is located right along the east beachside and it offers of all the great amenities that only Disney can offer.

We usually stay a few days and it is the perfect getaway for us that travel with the toddler. And to make his wish come true, we celebrate his birthday with a character breakfast. The best way to celebrate the perfect birthday.

Recreational Parks - The Perfect Way to Start or End the Weekend

Nothing to do on a Sunday afternoon? Well why not visit one of the recreational parks around your area. The Central Florida has a variety of great parks for different ages. My toddler loved the one located on Meadow Woods. It has a separate toddler playground and an are to celebrate special occasions.

Now that the summer is coming, I know we will be visiting a lot of parks so hope to see you enjoying the great outdoors like us. Go to http://www.floridastateparks.org/ to find a park near you.

The Best Mother's Day Weekend

Last year we decided to do a little getaway for Mother's Day. I found this great hotel near the Tampa airport and the International Mall. It was awesome. The weekend couldn't be more perfect. The hotel provided all the amenities that we needed such as a small kitchenette and it was close to everything. It was away from the downtown traffic but near mayor attractions.

On Saturday we visited the Florida Aquarium. We saw lots of great animals and shows but the best part was the mini-water park located right outside of the Aquarium. My boy absolutely loved it!

Operation Potty Train

A couple of months ago I started Operation Potty Train with my toddler. I tell you, I thought this was going to be easy and very intuitive. Boy was I wrong. It has been the hardest thing to do and to top that I haven't being able to be consistent because I am both a full time mom and full time employee.

I have read so many articles on this it is not even funny and they all point to one thing: HE HAS TO BE READY!!!!! Then why we put so much pressure on this? Why people keep asking whether he is trained or not or if I am doing my work? It is very frustrating when you hear other Moms say: "It took me blah, blah, blah days to do it" or "It was so easy to do". Not is it not easy to do.

I just need to let go and accept the fact and he will do it when he is ready and I'll know and be ready when the time comes. In the meantime, I will be deaf to those questions and move on.

Is it too early to plan my son's birthday party?

My son's birthday is coming up in July and I am already getting ready for it. Some people start planning many months in advance but I think a good 2 - 3 months will do. There is so much to do.

First things first is deciding on location. For 2 years in a row we have done a small gathering at the house. It is ok but we end up with a lot of adults and not a lot of toddlers for my son to play with cause there is no space. But I want to do something different. I want a big party. I know he is only 2 1/2 and he probably won't remember a thing but is that too much?

Every year I struggle a lot between the location and the theme. I think I am ok with the theme this time around (I've narrow it down to 2) but still struggle with the location specially because his birthday is in the middle of July. Stinky hot summer!

Ah, I guess I'll go with the flow and see what happens. If you have any recommendations, please send it my way.

BABIES, The Movie is getting a lot of hype!

Check out the latest video promotion on the movie from the Jimmyu Kimmel Show.

Watch this video from MommyCast and learn about the many lasting lessons a baby can learn from being in the presence of animals. From empathy to responsibility, these lessons will carry through from infancy to adulthood!

Meet Ponijao from BABIES

Ponijao lives in Namibia with her family, including her parents and eight older brothers and sisters. Ponijao’s family is part of the Himba tribe, and lives in a small village with other families, following traditions including speaking their own (Himba) language. The men in the Himba tribe are generally off looking after the cattle and searching for grass, so Ponijao is most often with her mother and other female relatives; she plays, eats, and is bathed through the traditional method of mixing concrete red ochre with oil. Ponijao’s favorite things to do are dance and play with other children in the tribe.

Meet Mari from BABIES

Mari lives with her mother and father in Shibuya, a busy metropolitan area within Tokyo, at the center of all of the city’s noise and excitement. Mari is an only child and lives the contemporary urban lifestyle, walking around city streets when not in the family’s apartment that has a view of the city skyline. Mari loves to visit toy stores, play with the family’s pet cat, and go to baby play groups. In the movie, she is notable for her dramatic reactions to, and frustrations with, everyday life.

Meet Bayar from BABIES

Bayarjargal, who lives in Mongolia with his family, is one of four babies followed from birth to first steps in Thomas Balmès' BABIES, a Focus Features release. Photo credit: Focus Features

Meet Hattie from BABIES

Hattie was born to very ecological, “green” parents in San Francisco. When we first meet Hattie, she is in the hospital, but it’s not for long before she is back home with her parents. For Hattie’s family, it’s all about “How can I be good with the world?” The family’s diet focuses on fruits and vegetables. Both of Hattie’s parents are equally involved in her day-to-day life, fixing her meals, taking her to play groups, and spending time with her around the house. Hattie seems much like an old soul trapped in a very young body; she is much more cautious and analytical than the other three babies, evaluating her surroundings and what’s in her field of vision.

BABIES Theatrical Trailer

Everybody loves... BABIES. Coming to theatres this Mother's Day Weekend (May 7th), this visually stunning new movie simultaneously follows four babies around the world - from first breath to first steps. From Mongolia to Namibia to San Francisco to Tokyo, BABIES joyfully captures on film the earliest stages of the journey of humanity that are at once unique and universal to us all.