Double Income, Kids

Description: Motty and Alon are a Tel Aviv gay couple who decide to have children the help of an American surrogate mother. The film follows them for a year, through the birth of their twins, the boy’s brit and culminating with their marriage ceremony. We meet the surrogate mother, Motty’s and Alon’s families and friends: other gay male couples who are already raising children or are considering parenthood using surrogate mothers.

Merits: Schäfer’s sensitive eye captures many telling moments. Motty reflects on the decision to use a surrogate mother rather than co-parenting with a female friend. She might later interfere with his relationship with his partner, he thinks. For his children a photograph of the surrogate mother will suffice, just like the photograph of his own absent dad did for him. Relocating from Tel Aviv to the more affordable Kfar Saba is particularly stressful for Alon. Feeling oppressed growing up in that town, he could not wait to leave it. Going back there feels like taking a step backwards, he muses. The evident discomfort of his parents, particularly his father, with his ‘lifestyle choices’ stands in marked contrast with Motty’s ultra Orthodox single mother’s support for her son. Of the two, Motty seems more mature and emotionally prepared for the challenges ahead. At times he sounds almost irritated by his partner’s dithering. Even Joy, their cute pooch, has to adjust to the arrival of the twins. All ends well though, we hope.

Rating: LGBT theme.

Programming recommendation: Consider co-programming with an LGBTQ festival.

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