GHOSTS OF THE RÉPUBLIQUE follows Aurelien and Nicolas, who, when confronted by France’s conservative surrogacy laws, decide to exhaust their last option by traveling to Las Vegas to start a family of their own through international surrogacy. Through the lens of one family, this film demonstrates the extreme lengths many gay couples go to have children, while highlighting the ever-expanding and controversial surrogacy industry.
“This story is very important to tell at this point in history. We’ve achieved marriage equality in the US and other countries around the world, but today’s laws are far from clear when it comes to surrogacy, and that’s where things really get interesting. The idea of what a family is, is one of the most coveted values in society, and GHOSTS OF THE RÉPUBLIQUE shows us that the definition of family is constantly changing.”
Nicolas and Aurelien’s story is unique in that it is a portrayal of the same-sex experience in creating a biological family through surrogacy, a technology developed in the 1980’s becoming more and more commonplace each year. This technology is one that has not only brought hope to couples who struggle with infertility but also to couples who struggle with equality. But while it is a source of hope for many, surrogacy also raises ethical considerations with various legal implications across the globe. GHOSTS OF THE RÉPUBLIQUE seeks to explore the complexities of the issues, and in particular, asks, what does define family in our modern age?
GHOSTS OF THE RÉPUBLIQUE is directed and produced by Jonathon Narducci, an award winning documentary filmmaker, and commercial and music video director and cinematographer. Narducci’s first feature-length film “Love Me,” was featured in 13 international film festivals and has been distributed to dozens of countries around the world in 8 different languages. “Ghosts of the Republique” is Jonathon’s sophomore feature-length documentary. Jonathon is the founder and CEO of PowerShot Productions, a Los Angeles based production company that will be overseeing the completion of the film.
Available November 17th on:
CREDITS
JENNIFER TOCQUIGNY
CAROL MARTORI
AMANDA HOBMEIER
BEN BROWNING
BRAD DUJMOVIC
FILMMAKER BIO’S
Jonathon Narducci - Director/Producer:
Jonathon Narducci is an award winning documentary filmmaker and commercial director and cinematographer. Narducci’s first feature-length film “Love Me,” was featured in 13 international film festivals, and has been distributed to Netflix, Amazon Prime and dozens of countries around the world in 8 different languages. “Ghosts of the République” is Jonathon’s sophomore feature-length documentary. Jonathon is the founder and CEO of PowerShot Productions, a Los Angeles based production company that will be overseeing the completion of the film. Most recently Jonathon was the Cinematographer for “Giving Voice” which took the Festival Favorite award at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. “Ghosts of the République” Directed by Jonathon Narducci
Jennifer Tocquigny - Producer:
Jennifer Tocquigny is a producer that has worked in scripted, documentary, and branded content over the last decade. Her projects have screened at 150+ film festivals worldwide including world premieres at TIFF, SXSW (Audience Award), Sheffield, IDFA, and AFI FEST (Audience Award). She received the IDA Award in 2018 for Best Short Series with her team at MEL Films for producing 52 short films in two years. Prior to this, Jennifer worked in development on the scripted side for both film and television, as well as the digital marketing team at Warner Brothers. Jennifer has worked on digital and branded content for HBO, Warner Brothers, Netflix, Starz, Freeform, Sony Pictures, and the Hallmark network. Jennifer's experience extends outside of the U.S, and has helped produce film projects in Germany, France, Paraguay, Brazil, Nicaragua, Pakistan, New Zealand and Cuba. Following her love of a great story, she has a passion for social impact projects and loves the challenge of creating significant change through storytelling.
Dan Savage - Executive Producer:
Dan Savage is an author, a sex-advice columnist, a podcaster, a pundit, and a public speaker. "Savage Love," Dan's sex-advice column, first appeared in the The Stranger, Seattle’s alternative weekly, in 1991. The column is now syndicated to more than 50 papers across the United States and Canada. Dan has published six books. His newest book, American Savage, will be published in May of 2013. In 2010 Dan and his husband Terry Miller founded the It Gets Better Project. The IGBP has gathered tens of thousands of videos from people all over the world offering hope to LGBT kids. The book—It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living—was a New York Times best seller. In 2012 the It Gets Better Project was awarded an Emmy. Dan is a regular contributor to public radio's This American Life. He is a also a frequent guest on The Colbert Report, Real Time with Bill Maher, and other television programs. In the fall of 2011 MTV filmed Dan as he toured colleges performing "Savage Love Live," the live version of his sex-advice column. That tour became the basis for the 2012 MTV program "Savage U." In 2006 Dan launched the Savage Lovecast, a weekly, call-in advice podcast. It is now one of iTunes top 50 podcasts. Dan’s graphic, pragmatic, and humorous advice has changed the cultural conversation about monogamy, gay rights, religiosity, and politics. Dan lives in Seattle with his husband, their son, and a one-eyed, deaf poodle named Stinker.