On Saturday, February 3 at 2pm, “What Babies Want” was screened as a part of the Backlot Film Festival. The documentary, directed by Debbie Takikawa and narrated by Noah Wyle, argues that the United States has the chance to erase all violence through a more nurturing and respectful approach to pregnancy and to the first three years in a child’s life.
The film features several testimonials by authors, psychologists, and parents. One standout is Sobonfu Some, pregnancy coach and “Keeper of Rituals” from West Africa’s Burkina Faso nation. She demonstrates how ritual is used to honor and celebrate children in her country.
Director Takikawa frequently references African tribal birth rituals – such as welcome song ceremonies conducted by village children – alongside 
American New Age practices – like keeping babies in dim light for the forty days following their birth. The measurable connection between these rituals and healthier teens and adults is left a bit ambiguous, but “What Babies Want” is not about measurable connections. It is about being conscious of the emotional needs of mothers and babies. That said, Takikawa clearly implies that a departure from North American medical culture would be in the best interest of our children and could deter child suicide, teen violence, and even adult depression in the U.S.
And what do babies want? According to father and narrator Noah Wyle, best known as Dr. Carter of “ER” fame, “what babies want is to be loved and 
respected as human beings, right from the start.” Fair enough. In order to properly welcome babies to the world, we should view them as the feeling, perceiving, understanding creatures that they are…even if they do not “record and save” their memories as adults do.
The screening was followed by a community panel that included producer and baby advocate, Tracy Wyle; President and CEO of Oklahaven Children’s Chiropractic Center, Bobby Doscher; and midwife, Tonya Brooks. The panel reiterated the film’s message that the birth experience is the ultimate 
reflection of human respect. Although some of the film’s recommendations for creating an atmosphere of respect are off the beaten path, the core message runs true – shouldn’t we all want to live in a world where babies and their mothers are respected?
“What Babies Want” screened at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills. Proceeds from the film showing will go to The Sojourn Battered Women’s and Children’s Center and Oklahaven Children’s Chiropractic Center. For more information on the film, visit www.whatbabieswant.com.
The Backlot Film Festival was founded in 2004 by writer/producer Ross Hawkins to pay tribute to the rich motion picture history in Culver City and LA’s Westside. The 2007 festival ran from January 30 to February 3 in Los Angeles. For more information, visit .
