THE GUYS NEXT DOOR, a feature length documentary, offers an alternative to the traditional ideas of what constitutes the nuclear American family. Meet Erik and Sandro, a gay couple with two daughters birthed by their friend Rachel with donor eggs. In her 40s, Rachel is married to Tony and they have three biological children of their own. Rachel and Tony, a seemingly traditional married couple, live in the suburbs of Massachusetts with their children. Inspired by a TV program about the difficulties and costs associated with gay couples having children, Rachel, age 41, volunteers to be a surrogate – not once, but twice within two years – for Erik, her good friend from college, and his husband Sandro, an Italian émigré. This film begins when Rachel is eight months pregnant with Erik and Sandro’s second daughter, Eleonora. What compels a woman in her forties with three children of her own to carry children for friends? What is the reaction of her husband and children? And, how will Erik and Sandro handle the challenges of parenting two girls in a world that still emphasizes the importance of maternal instinct? The issues raised in this film - gay marriage and parenting, surrogacy as a path for having children, and the extension and redefinition of what it means to be “an American family" – are particularly relevant in today’s socio/political climate where we are witnessing new threats to the civil liberties of LGBTQ community. The power of THE GUYS NEXT DOOR is the way it demonstrates our shared humanity. In the words of the esteemed documentary filmmaker Ross McElwee (Sherman’s March), “with nuance, verve and humor, this film goes well beyond issues of surrogacy and gay parenthood and explores the humanity that connects us all.
Allie Humenuk is an award-winning filmmaker and Emmy nominated cinematographer whose films have been broadcast nationally and internationally and screened at film festivals, museums and schools. Her feature documentary, “Shadow of the House,” about the photographer Abelardo Morell was heralded as “one of the best films ever made on a artist and the artistic process” by Bo Smith, former curator of the film program at the MFA Boston. She was nominated for an Emmy for her camera work on the PBS series “Design Squad.” For over 15 years Allie was the Executive Producer at Vida Health Communications where she created media about public health issues. She has taught film and video production at Harvard University and the Massachusetts College of Art. Her most recent film, THE GUYS NEXT DOOR, is currenlty on the festvial circuit. Currently, she freelances as a Director, Cinematographer and Editor.
