# Babel

> 2006 film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu

**Wikidata**: [Q191074](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q191074)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babel_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/babel

## Summary

Babel received several notable awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Score[1]. This award is a significant recognition of the film's musical composition.In addition to the Academy Award, Babel was also recognized by the National Board of Review, which listed it as one of the Top Ten Films[1]. This listing is a testament to the film's overall quality and impact.Babel further received the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at Cannes[1], demonstrating its appeal to a wide range of audiences and critics. The film's ability to resonate with diverse groups is a notable aspect of its success.The accumulation of these awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Score, National Board of Review: Top Ten Films, and Prize of the Ecumenical Jury Cannes[1], underscores Babel's achievements in the film industry.

## Summary
Babel is a 2006 drama film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, exploring interconnected storylines across multiple countries. It features an ensemble cast and was produced by companies including Paramount Vantage and Summit Entertainment. The film received several awards, including the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at Cannes.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: May 23, 2006 (Cannes), December 21, 2006 (U.S.)
- **Director**: Alejandro González Iñárritu
- **Production Companies**: Paramount Vantage, Summit Entertainment, MRC, and others
- **Countries of Origin**: United States, Mexico, Japan, Morocco
- **Awards**: Prize of the Ecumenical Jury (Cannes), National Board of Review Top Ten Films
- **Genres**: Drama
- **Runtime**: 143 minutes
- **Languages**: English, Japanese, Arabic, Berber, Spanish
- **Budget**: $10 million
- **Box Office**: $216.97 million
- **Music**: Original score by Gustavo Santaolalla (Academy Award for Best Original Score)
- **Cast**: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael García Bernal, Rinko Kikuchi, Mohamed Akhzam, Boubker Ait El Caid
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 60 language editions
- **Wikidata ID**: Q11424
- **IMDb ID**: tt0449467
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 69%
- **Metacritic Score**: 69/100

## FAQs
**What is the central theme of Babel?**  
Babel explores themes of communication barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and the interconnectedness of global events, highlighting how isolated incidents in different countries impact lives worldwide.

**Who are the key actors in Babel?**  
The film features an international ensemble cast, including Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael García Bernal, Rinko Kikuchi, and Moroccan actors Mohamed Akhzam and Boubker Ait El Caid.

**Where was Babel filmed?**  
Filming locations spanned Morocco, Japan, Mexico, and the United States, reflecting the film's global narrative.

**What awards did Babel win?**  
Babel received the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and was named one of the Top Ten Films by the National Board of Review. Gustavo Santaolalla won the Academy Award for Best Original Score.

**How was Babel received critically and commercially?**  
The film holds a 69% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 69/100 score on Metacritic, indicating generally favorable reviews. It grossed $216.97 million worldwide against a $10 million budget.

## Why It Matters
Babel stands out for its ambitious, interconnected storytelling across four countries, addressing universal themes of communication and cultural divides. Its success underscores the viability of multilingual, globally focused cinema in mainstream markets. The film's Oscar-winning score and critical acclaim highlight its artistic merit, while its commercial performance demonstrates the appeal of complex, human-driven narratives. Babel also sparked discussions about globalization, prejudice, and the consequences of misunderstandings in a hyper-connected world.

## Notable For
- **Multilingual Narrative**: Seamlessly integrates four languages (English, Japanese, Arabic, Spanish) and multiple cultural perspectives.
- **Global Storytelling**: Pioneered the "hyperlink cinema" style, influencing films with interconnected, international plots.
- **Awards and Recognition**: Academy Award for Best Original Score and Cannes Ecumenical Jury Prize.
- **Cultural Impact**: Sparked conversations about globalization, cultural sensitivity, and the human cost of miscommunication.
- **Box Office Success**: Grossed over 20 times its production budget, proving the market for art-house films with broad appeal.

## Body

### Production and Release
Babel was directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and produced by Paramount Vantage, Summit Entertainment, and MRC, among others. Filmed in Morocco, Japan, Mexico, and the U.S., it premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2006, and was released in the U.S. on December 21, 2006. The film's budget was $10 million, and it grossed $216.97 million globally.

### Cast and Crew
The international cast included Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael García Bernal, Rinko Kikuchi, and Moroccan actors Mohamed Akhzam and Boubker Ait El Caid. The original score by Gustavo Santaolalla earned an Academy Award, contributing to the film's emotional depth.

### Themes and Style
Babel explores communication barriers and cultural misunderstandings through four interconnected storylines in Morocco, Japan, Mexico, and the U.S. Its use of multiple languages (English, Japanese, Arabic, Berber, Spanish) and non-linear narrative reflects the complexities of global interactions. The film employs a "hyperlink cinema" style, emphasizing how isolated events reverberate across borders.

### Critical and Commercial Reception
Babel received a 69% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 69/100 score on Metacritic, with praise for its ambition and performances. It was a commercial success, grossing over $216 million worldwide, demonstrating the viability of art-house films in mainstream cinema.

### Awards and Legacy
The film won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at Cannes and was recognized by the National Board of Review. Santaolalla's score received an Academy Award, solidifying the film's artistic reputation. Babel influenced subsequent films with global, interconnected narratives and remains a case study in multicultural storytelling.

### Cultural and Historical Context
Released in 2006, Babel reflected post-9/11 anxieties about globalization and cross-cultural tensions. Its portrayal of Moroccan, Japanese, Mexican, and American perspectives resonated with discussions about immigration, prejudice, and the Iraq War era. The film's themes of misunderstanding and empathy remain relevant in contemporary discourse on global connectivity.

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 143 minutes
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.35:1
- **Sound Mix**: DTS, Dolby Digital, SDDS
- **Film Stock**: Kodak Vision 500T 5277 (35mm)
- **Camera**: Panavision Panaflex Gold II, Panavision Primo 70 lenses

### Related Entities
- **Paramount Vantage**: A specialty film division of Paramount Pictures, known for producing critically acclaimed films.
- **Summit Entertainment**: An American film production and distribution company, later acquired by Lions Gate Entertainment.
- **MRC (Media Rights Capital)**: An independent film and television studio involved in producing Babel.
- **Alejandro González Iñárritu**: Mexican film director known for nonlinear, interconnected narratives (e.g., *Amores Perros*, *21 Grams*).
- **Gustavo Santaolalla**: Argentine composer and Academy Award winner for Babel's score.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2007)
3. The Movie Database
4. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures
5. Unifrance
6. Babel. Rotten Tomatoes
7. BFI Film & TV Database
8. film distribution certificate
9. Lexicon of international films
10. Freebase Data Dumps
11. [Source](http://www.kinokalender.com/film5588_babel.html)
12. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/babel/)
13. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
14. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=20151.html)
15. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
16. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/116556)
17. Cineplex
18. Online-Filmdatenbank
19. [Source](https://jmkextern.bmb.gv.at/app/detail.aspx?FILID=16518)
20. Bechdel Test Movie List
21. mymovies.it
22. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/5131-4500-6513-200C-05AA-C)
23. Danish Film Database
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25. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
26. TheTVDB
27. Trakt.tv
28. FilmVandaag.nl