Birthmarked (2017) A film by Emanuel Hoss -Desmarais Written by Marc Tulin Produced by Pierre Even, Item 7 In 1977, two respected scientists, BEN MORIN (Matthew Goode) and his wife CATHERINE O’NEAL (Toni Collette), quit their university jobs to conduct an experiment they think will revolutionize understanding of human identity. The project aims to raise three children contrarily to their genetic predispositions to prove the ultimate power of nurture over nature. MAYA (Megan O’Kelly), a newborn girl adopted from two feeble-minded parents, is raised to be smart; MAURICE (Anton Gillis-Adelman), a newborn boy adopted from two anger-prone parents is raised to be a pacifist; and their own biological son LUKE (Jordan Poole), who comes from a long lineage of scientific brains, is raised to become a revered artist. The experiment will reveal little scientific truth, but rather lead Ben and Catherine to discover the true value of family.