9-Month Contract

80' 2025

dir.: Ketevan Vashagashvili

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The film's protagonist is at a turning point in her life and decides to earn extra money by becoming a surrogate mother. Though highly developed, the Georgian surrogacy market features widespread corruption where shady intermediaries pocket most of the profits. Zhanna is convinced she will smoothly survive the ordeal, but, unexpectedly, the emotional side of the eponymous contract becomes a dilemma.

At a turning point in her life, the film’s protagonist is raising her daughter alone after a bout with homelessness. As a way to earn extra cash, she decides to become a surrogate mother. The surrogacy market is highly developed in Georgia, yet widespread corruption allows shady intermediaries to pocket most of the profits. Zhanna is determined and endures the hardships of pregnancy, but as time passes, her body grows increasingly weary. Bioethical dilemmas take on tangible forms in this documentary by the young Georgian filmmaker. Is it possible to analyze motherhood apart from instinct and emotion? And how can we, ethically and with respect for everyone involved, reconcile the sometimes conflicting roles we play with varying degrees of success?

Konrad Wirkowski

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