For people having difficulty bearing a child, artificial insemination is one way to go for parenthood, but going to sperm banks can be expensive, shrouded with too much anonymity, and have had many incidents of malpractice. Some people would rather take things into their own hands. Spermworld explores the journeys of three different internet sperm donors, who meet with hopeful parents. It can be awkward, even when the donors are fairly ordinary guys with fairly decent motives, but the way director Lance Oppenheim approaches the community is disarmingly human, acknowledging the strange quirks that come with the donation, but also the interesting parental desires human beings do have.

The subject matter. The urge to parent is an interesting discussion– it’s not really thought about because of the conventional way a nuclear family is formed– but it’s interesting how this desire can be shifted and met through alternative ways, and Oppenheim keeps the film compassionate, focusing on the vulnerability both donors and donees share, especially outside the medical system.