Drama “The Surrogate”

We went to the cinema to attend the festival of independent films and watched the drama “The Surrogate”, a 2020 independent drama film directed by Jeremy Frindel. 

The Storyline of “The Surrogate”

It is a story that is possible in a liberal world. The movie follows the emotional journey of Jess Harris, a young girl, played by Jasmine Batchelor, who decides to become a surrogate mother for her best friend Josh and his husband Aaron, played by Chris Perfetti and Sullivan Jones. 

In New York, free surrogacy is allowed, which means that only medical expenses and food will be reimbursed to Jess. In addition, true surrogacy is allowed there – an arrangement when a woman gives birth to her biological child. By the way, this is the only type of surrogacy allowed in many Scandinavian countries and in China.

As Jess undergoes medical procedures and prepares for the embryo transfer, the film explores the emotional attachment that develops between Jess and the child she’s carrying.

The conflict begins when the boys and Jess learn that the child will have Down syndrome. What decisions will each of them make and for what reasons?

The Impact of Surrogacy

“The Surrogate” sheds light on the emotional and psychological impact that surrogacy can have on all parties involved. The film explores the bond that develops between the surrogate mother and the child, as well as the legal complexities surrounding surrogacy.

“The Surrogate” Drama Critical Reception

The film has received positive reviews from critics, with praise for its emotional depth and authentic portrayal of the surrogacy journey. The Hollywood Reporter called the film “sensitive and insightful” and praised Jasmine Batchelor’s “nuanced and affecting” performance. 

The New York Times described the film as “thoughtful and moving” and highlighted the film’s exploration of the emotional and ethical complexities of surrogacy.

The Importance of Authentic Representation

“The Surrogate” is significant for its authentic representation of the surrogacy journey, particularly for LGBTQ+ couples. The film highlights the challenges that same-sex couples face when trying to start a family and the importance of surrogacy in providing an avenue for family building. The film’s diverse cast and crew also reflect the importance of representation in media and the need for authentic storytelling.

Surrogacy in Ukraine

In Ukraine, only one type of surrogacy is allowed – when the child is completely genetically not related to the surrogate mother. Accordingly, it always happens through an IVF cycle for a pair of intended parents and the genetic testing of embryos usually takes place before implantation in the uterus. It protects against the most common pathologies and syndromes. 

There are only a few countries where surrogacy is officially allowed for same-sex couples, combined with egg donation. These are some states in the USA, Albania, and a couple of other countries. 

There is a phrase in a film that went straight to my heart. It is of course obvious, but in the context of the film it was crucial: “If this baby is born, it will bind us forever”.

Conclusion

“The Surrogate” drama is a powerful and emotional film that explores the complexities of surrogacy and its impact on all parties involved. The film provides an authentic and nuanced portrayal of the surrogacy journey, highlighting the emotional, legal, and ethical complexities of surrogacy. With its diverse cast and authentic representation, “The Surrogacy” is an important film that sheds light on the challenges and joys of surrogacy and family building.

To learn more about surrogacy and family planning, visit IVMED Family, the best surrogacy agency in Ukraine. You can also read more about the emotional and psychological impact of surrogacy in our article Psychological aspects of Surrogacy (How to survive it)