I wrote and directed Operation Zeugung to recall the nightmare of growing up wanting to be an artist in a family of well-achieved scientists and engineers. After often being called a failure, lazy, useless, etc., by loved ones, I lived many years constantly fighting for approval. Finally, I decided to let go of everything and chase my dreams. Today, as a professional filmmaker, I have all the support and respect of my family. The main character in the film, Stefan, has a similar experience and tries to make his father proud by doing everything he tells him to do. However, his efforts seem to go unnoticed by his father, Walter Ender, a feared Nazi officer. When Ender discovers Stefan’s sexuality, his goal of making his father proud becomes even more unreachable. In Stefan’s character arc, his neediness for approval turns into fighting for self-respect. The lead actors, Reid and Jake, were fantastic in their performance and became emotional for me to experience since I directed this film, constantly revisiting dark situations in my life.