The TV film ‘Mein Kind’ by Christine Hartmann premiered at the Munich Film Festival in summer 2024 and will air on ZDF. The story follows Judith and Niclas, a couple seeking a surrogate in Ukraine. When war disrupts their plans, they attempt to bring their surrogate, Oksana, and her daughter to Germany, but legal issues force her back. The film explores the complexities of surrogacy amid ethical concerns and the harsh realities faced by Ukrainian women in conflict.
The television movie ‘Mein Kind’ directed by Christine Hartmann made its world debut under the bilingual title ‘Mein Kind – МОЯ ДИТИНА’ at the Munich Film Festival in the summer of 2024. This upcoming Monday, October 28, the poignant family drama is set to be aired on ZDF at 8:15 PM.
Synopsis of ‘Mein Kind’
Judith (played by Lisa Maria Potthoff) and Niclas Koch (portrayed by Maximilian Brückner) are a married couple eager to fulfill their dream of parenthood through a surrogate mother in Ukraine. However, their world turns upside down when conflict erupts, leaving them deeply concerned for their surrogate, Oksana Smirnova (depicted by Alina Danko), and the unborn child they long for.
In a moment of desperation, Judith and Niclas invite Oksana to flee to Munich. Soon, Oksana and her nine-year-old daughter arrive at their home. Unfortunately, their sense of security in Germany is fleeting.
The surrogacy agency insists on adhering to the original contracts and threatens legal consequences, given that surrogacy is prohibited in Germany, which necessitates the child be born in Kiev. As a result, Oksana must return to her war-torn homeland. Shortly after the baby is born, Judith and Niclas embark on a perilous journey back to collect their child amidst the chaos of war.
Surrogacy in Ukraine: Important Insights
Producer Anna Oeller shares that the inspiration for the film came about two years ago, coinciding with the onset of the war. She recalls a touching story from the Süddeutsche Zeitung featuring surrogate mothers with their babies hiding in basements, unable to leave due to the conflict. This motivated the team to address such a challenging subject matter.
Statistics reveal that approximately 15% of German couples face unintentional childlessness. Due to German law, adoption or fostering remains their only recourse, but these processes can take years and may deter many couples. Surrogacy, being illegal in Germany, often leads desperate couples to look elsewhere.
Since 2015, Ukraine has emerged as a prime location for surrogacy, offering a professional, straightforward, and relatively affordable process. Oeller explains that surrogacy agencies in Ukraine can arrange pregnancies starting at around 40,000 euros. A more comprehensive VIP package, which allows parents to select the child’s sex, can reach about 65,000 euros, significantly less than the threefold cost in the United States. In this arrangement, surrogate mothers typically receive about a third of the total fee.
The Ethical Considerations of Surrogacy
While many young Ukrainian women willingly choose to become surrogates for the financial benefits—often earning three times the average annual salary—ethical dilemmas surround the practice. As author Katrin Bühling points out, pregnancy can be physically demanding, and childbirth comes with inherent risks. Questions arise about the motivations of women who choose to pursue surrogacy without dire financial need.
Maximilian Brückner raises similar concerns, acknowledging the emotional struggles of childless couples yearning for children. He critiques how surrogacy can easily devolve into a business transaction, where only those with substantial means can benefit. Moreover, he highlights the insufficient compensation often given to surrogate mothers.
Lisa Maria Potthoff, who has two daughters, empathizes with couples turning to surrogacy as a last resort. She describes the profound desire for parenthood as a natural instinct, even if surrogacy may not have been her personal path.
Authenticity in Casting: A Ukrainian Surrogate Mother
In a commitment to authenticity, the role of the surrogate mother Oksana was specifically cast with a Ukrainian actress. Producer Anna Oeller explains that the casting of Oksana was a lengthy process, emphasizing their desire to ensure that a Ukrainian performer portrayed the character. After conducting e-castings and live auditions across Germany, they chose Alina Danko. Alina had relocated to Salzburg during the war in 2022, where she completed her acting training at the Mozarteum.
Alina expresses her enthusiasm for the filming experience, praising her ‘incredibly friendly’ colleagues and stating how realistic the project felt. She recalls a particular scene that left a lasting impression on her: Oksana’s reaction upon seeing news from Butsha, where numerous bodies were discovered after the Russian withdrawal, highlighting an emotionally charged moment that transcends language and explanation.