Movies: 9-Month Contract (2025) by Ketevan Vashagashvili
- dailyentertainment95
- 16 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Link to watch: https://pro.festivalscope.com/film/9-month-contract-1
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17890638/
Link Review: https://businessdoceurope.com/dok-preview-international-9-month-contract-by-ketevan-vashagashvili/
Detailed Summary
The documentary follows the story of Zhana, a 25-year-old homeless single mother living in Tbilisi, Georgia. Driven by the desperate hope of providing a safer and brighter future for her teenage daughter, Elene, Zhana decides to become a surrogate mother for foreign couples. The film explores Zhana's journey as she navigates the complex and often unregulated world of surrogacy in Georgia. Despite the potential financial relief of $14,000 for nine months of pregnancy, Zhana's decision leads to a challenging odyssey that traps both mother and daughter. They are forced to confront cultural taboos and the ethical, emotional, and physical trials associated with surrogacy. As Zhana undergoes multiple childbirths to earn enough money for a home, her health deteriorates, and she struggles to hide her pregnancies from Elene. The film, born from the director's decade-long friendship with Zhana and Elene, raises profound questions about a mother's sacrifice and the dignity of women in the surrogacy industry.
Plot Summary
In Tbilisi, Georgia, Zhana, a homeless single mother, sees surrogacy as her only way to secure a stable life for her daughter, Elene. For $14,000, she agrees to carry a baby for foreign parents. The film documents Zhana's surrogate pregnancies, the physical and emotional toll it takes on her, and her efforts to conceal this from Elene. As Zhana's health declines with repeated pregnancies, Elene grows older and begins to understand the sacrifices her mother is making, leading to a confrontation and a deeper understanding between them. The documentary explores their evolving relationship against the backdrop of an unregulated surrogacy industry.
Director's Vision
Ketevan Vashagashvili, a documentary filmmaker interested in social and human rights issues, embarked on this project stemming from a long-standing friendship with Zhana and Elene. Her vision was to shed light on the often-hidden realities of surrogate motherhood in Georgia, where many women resort to it due to financial hardship. She aimed to capture the emotional, ethical, and physical struggles these women face, as well as the societal judgment they often endure. Vashagashvili's approach involves a close, observant camera that captures intimate moments and emotions, highlighting Zhana's vulnerability and resilience. The director also incorporates dialogues with Zhana, offering different perspectives on their shared reality.
Themes
Mother's Sacrifice: The film deeply explores the extent to which a mother will go to provide for her child, pushing her physical and emotional limits.
Poverty and Desperation: Zhana's decision to become a surrogate is driven by homelessness and a lack of other viable options, highlighting the desperation faced by many single mothers in Georgia.
Dignity and Exploitation: The documentary raises questions about the dignity of surrogate mothers in an unregulated industry where their rights and well-being are often neglected.
Mother-Daughter Relationship: The evolving dynamic between Zhana and Elene, marked by secrets, understanding, and eventually, mutual support, is a central theme.
Cultural Taboos: The film touches upon the societal stigma and judgment faced by women who choose surrogacy in a traditional, often critical society.
Key Success Factors
Director's Established Trust: Vashagashvili's decade-long friendship with Zhana and Elene allowed for an intimate and honest portrayal of their lives.
Powerful and Moving Subject Matter: The personal story of a mother's sacrifice for her daughter in the context of a controversial industry is inherently compelling.
Intimate Cinematography: The close-up shots and gentle camera movements effectively convey the characters' emotions and their challenging circumstances.
Timeliness of the Issue: The film addresses a relevant and pressing social issue concerning women's rights and the ethics of surrogacy in a globalized world.
Summary Short
A homeless single mother in Georgia enters into surrogacy contracts to secure a better future for her daughter, leading to physical and emotional challenges and forcing them to confront societal norms and the complexities of the unregulated industry.
Awards and Nominations
"9-Month Contract" won the HUMAN:RIGHTS AWARD 2025 at the CPH:DOX documentary film festival. It has also received one nomination, as indicated on IMDb.
Critics Reception
Limited information on widespread critical reception is available at this time, but the award from CPH:DOX suggests a positive reception within the documentary film festival circuit for its handling of a sensitive social issue.
Reviews
Reviews available indicate a deeply moving and thought-provoking documentary:
Business Doc Europe: Highlights the film as an intensely moving story that raises questions about a mother's sacrifice and the neglect of surrogate mothers' rights in an unregulated industry.
CPH:DOX: Describes the film as evolving from a long friendship into a powerful exploration of surrogate motherhood and dignity in Tbilisi.
Hot Docs: Praises the film's heart-rending story and the strength and tenderness of the mother-daughter bond, emphasizing the trust between the director and the participants.
Production (Summary, add sentence)
The documentary is a co-production between Georgia (1991 Productions), Bulgaria (Agitprop), and Germany (Vincent Productions), directed by Ketevan Vashagashvili, and filmed over an extended period due to the director's pre-existing relationship with the subjects.
Production Companies
1991 Productions (Georgia)
Agitprop (Bulgaria)
Vincent Productions (Germany)
Sales Companies: CAT&DOCS
Theatrical Release
"9-Month Contract" appears to have had screenings at film festivals, including CPH:DOX. A wider theatrical release might be limited, focusing instead on streaming and potentially select arthouse cinemas.
Why to Recommend This Movie
Powerful Human Story: The documentary offers a deeply personal and moving look into the life of a woman making immense sacrifices for her child.
Raises Important Social Questions: The film brings to light the ethical and human rights issues surrounding the surrogacy industry, particularly in unregulated environments.
Intimate and Authentic Portrayal: The director's close relationship with the subjects allows for a genuine and unfiltered depiction of their struggles and bond.
Why to Watch Movie
Gain Insight into a Global Issue: The film provides a window into the complex world of international surrogacy from the perspective of a surrogate mother.
Witness a Strong Mother-Daughter Bond: The documentary beautifully captures the resilience and love between Zhana and Elene in the face of adversity.
Support Documentary Filmmaking: Watching "9-Month Contract" supports filmmakers who tackle important social issues with empathy and depth.
What Movie Trend Film is Following
Social Issue Documentaries: The film firmly falls within the trend of documentaries that aim to raise awareness about important social issues, such as poverty, women's rights, and ethical dilemmas in industries like surrogacy. These documentaries often focus on personal stories to connect with viewers on an emotional level and inspire dialogue and change.
What Big Social Trend is Following
Increased Awareness of Women's Rights and Economic Inequality: The film taps into the growing global awareness of the challenges faced by women, particularly single mothers in economically disadvantaged regions, and the difficult choices they are forced to make to survive and provide for their families. It highlights the exploitation that can occur when vulnerable individuals seek solutions to economic hardship.
Final Verdict
"9-Month Contract" is a compelling and poignant documentary that offers a crucial perspective on the often-overlooked realities of surrogacy for women in Georgia. Through the intimate lens of director Ketevan Vashagashvili's long-standing connection with Zhana and Elene, the film powerfully conveys the immense sacrifices, emotional complexities, and ethical concerns surrounding this industry. It is a must-watch for those interested in social justice, human rights, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child.
Recommendations for Film Makers
Build Trust with Subjects: When documenting sensitive social issues, especially over extended periods, establishing a deep level of trust with the subjects is paramount for authentic storytelling.
Focus on Personal Narratives: Using individual stories can be a powerful way to humanize complex social issues and make them more relatable and impactful for audiences.
Maintain Ethical Considerations: Documentary filmmakers tackling sensitive topics should prioritize the well-being and dignity of their subjects throughout the filming and distribution process.
Recommendations for Movie Industry
Support Documentaries on Underrepresented Voices: The industry should continue to support and provide platforms for documentaries that give voice to marginalized communities and shed light on important social issues globally.
Facilitate International Co-productions: Encouraging and supporting international collaborations can bring diverse perspectives and resources to documentary filmmaking, enhancing their impact and reach.
Promote Dialogue and Awareness: Recognize the power of documentary films to spark important conversations and contribute to social awareness and potential change regarding critical global issues.
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