“Babes,” a new comedy about the highs and lows of pregnancy and early motherhood, received a boisterous welcome at its SXSW premiere on Saturday.
The audience frequently broke into sustained waves of laughter watching BFFs Eden (Ilana Glazer, who also co-wrote and produced) and Dawn (Michelle Buteau) contend with how Dawn’s second child and Eden’s unexpected pregnancy upend their lifelong, so-close-they-send-each-other-photos-of-their-poops friendship.
At the post-screening Q&A, Glazer — also joined by director Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”) and co-writer Josh Rabinowitz — explained the initial idea behind the film.
Glazer shared, “We found that we were really interested in how it changed our friendships. That was the way we started organizing all the ideas.”
Adlon, who is making her feature directing debut with “Babes,” expressed being moved by the script’s depiction of evolving friendships.
She particularly highlighted a scene about consent, stating, “I want my kids to see that. I think this movie is for all ages.”
Adlon embraced the rawness of pregnancy depicted in the film, emphasizing the importance of showcasing such realities.
The film involves improvisation, but Buteau credited the solid narrative foundation laid by Adlon, Glazer, and Rabinowitz, allowing for creative freedom during filming.
Buteau humorously described the set’s vibe as akin to daycare spirit week, drawing another round of laughter from the audience.
