THE BASICS
A documentary about how hard it can be to have the family you've always dreamed of. The film follows Maya and Noah - the filmmakers and the subjects - as they endure the trials and heartbreak of infertility.
Over the course of three years, Maya’s desire to carry her own child dictates that they delve deeper into assisted reproductive technologies in an effort to create their own family.
It isn’t until they decide to listen to and record the stories of other families who have battled and survived infertility that they realize they have never been alone, even though it feels like it...most of the time.
Along the way, we meet families of all types, who came together in many different ways and learn that it may not always be easy to build the family you want in America today, but it is always possible.
CAN YOU MAKE A FAMILY WHEN THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY FAILS?
In 2012, experts estimated that around five million births have been aided by modern reproductive technologies. Psychological impact surveys have shown women with infertility experience anxiety and depression similar to those diagnosed with cancer and other major illnesses. Yet, few talk about it openly and honestly. They often suffer in silence, confused by the various interventions available, and live in constant fear that their dream of having a family may never be realized.
As problems with fertility continue to rise, scientific methods are becoming more sophisticated and a greater number of people are seeking medical intervention. What interventions are available? How do these procedures affect an average infertile couple? What are the costs and risks involved? How does a couple choose between adoption and medical intervention? How can those affected feel less isolated? How can others become more educated and understanding? What is third party reproduction? What are the familial effects when a sister becomes an egg donor? How can people find hope and humor throughout this stressful process? In short, how are families created when the old-fashioned way fails?
This documentary addresses all those questions and does so from a personal point of view. Though Maya and Noah are both in their early 30’s and in good health, they had to begin a quest to build our family through alternative means and medical intervention as we try to find our own personal answer to the age old question “Where do babies come from?” The documentary follows them from their first appointment with a Reproductive Endocrinologist through various medical interventions including laparoscopic surgeries, Intrauterine Insemination, and In-Vitro Fertilization, and third party reproduction. The film exposes the relational impact infertility has on a couple and a family in a raw and honest way.
This is their story, a story of acceptance, survival, love, determination and family. It’s a heartwarming, often gut-wrenching, sometimes ridiculous documentary revealing the joys and pitfalls of the quest to become parents, even under the most adverse circumstances.
Millions of people are currently dealing with some form of infertility, millions more have survived the process, and most people know someone going through it. Our goal for the film is to promote communication and understanding, and remove the taboo from this subject. Our hope is that our audience will walk away from our film no longer afraid of having an honest dialogue about infertility.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We are currently seeking funds for post-production finishing and are looking for corporate sponsors.
hYou can donate directly to this project by clicking below. All donations are tax deductible.
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