Paternal Instinct

Jul 31 2004 Not Rated 1h 15m
Documentary, Romance

In contrast to the recent spate of gay parent documentaries Paternal Instinct is a fascinating and absorbing insight into the breeding process. We follow two gay men in their search for a suitable surrogate mother, a Wiccan from Maine, and then the agonizing three year long process of trying to get her pregnant. There is the anguish as they discover the impotent link in the fathering chain, the comedy of the repetitive conception rituals and the ecstasy of the birth of their child. With unfettered access to the participants, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Murray Nossel charts every step, and the camera never flinches. Whether you're into the whole parenting thing or not, the sheer humanity of this piece makes it totally absorbing.

Plot

Long time New York City gay male couple Mark and Erik want to have a baby. When they find Wen, a wiccan who lives in Maine, to be their surrogate, they embark on a wondrous journey of self discovery, joy, disappointment, grief, and joy again, with themselves, their own families, and their new family.

Written by

N/A

Directed by

Murray Nossel

Cast

Erik, Mark Eisenhardt, Barbara Eisenhardt

Crew

View crew

Awards

1 nomination

Scores
# of Votes
98
Average Rating
7.4 out of 10
Metascore
65
Popularity
NA