‘Supergirl’ Docu Follows The Story Of An Orthodox Jewish Girl Who Set A World Record In Powerlifting

supergirl-documentary

If there was a dictionary definition of the word “supergirl, 11 year old Naomi Kutin would be it. The forthcoming feature-length documentary ‘Supergirl’ tells the coming-of-age story of this wonder kid in a way that will both endear you to her journey, and inspire you at the same time.

The film comes from award-winning director and documentarian Jessie Auritt who has been following Naomi and her family around for the past 3 years. Since entering the sport at age 8, Naomi has set a world-record in power-lifting by lifting 3xtimes her body weight. A “supergirl” was born and her life has never been the same.

Throughout the film we see Naomi adapt to her newfound fame because of the media attention surrounding her world record, struggle with her identity as an adolescent girl balancing her faith in Orthodox Judaism which places certain restrictions on girls, and we also see her battle a health problem that could stop her athletic endeavors altogether.

Jessie and her team have finished filming the documentary, and are now raising money via a Kickstarter campaign in order to finish the final production touches. ‘Supergirl’ is estimated to be ready by June 2016, and this is definitely a story that needs to be seen by the entire world.

supergirl-documentary

“At a time when the women’s empowerment movement is in full force, it is especially crucial to see strong female characters who do not conform to gender stereotypes in film. Naomi is a great example of a young woman who is not afraid to put herself out there, break boundaries and pursue her goals,” says the campaign page of why ‘Supergirl’ is so timely.

“While Naomi’s circumstances are unique, her story speaks to many and will hopefully be a source of inspiration to a broad audience, particularly for women and girls as they come of age and face many similar challenges as Naomi, regardless of their background.”

It is not just a film about a badass girl breaking barriers on a number of fronts, it is also about the familiar struggle with identity that nearly everyone on this entire planet has endured. We are experiencing an exciting breakthrough moment in mainstream media and entertainment where regular tropes and representations of young women are being challenged in a number of ways.

supergirl-documentary

The ‘Like A Girl‘ movement, the #askhermore red carpet campaign, and the multiple instances of women in various industries like engineering and medicine are pulling apart the notion that anything should “male-dominated” in the 21st century.

Jessie Auritt’s film about Naomi Kutin is part of the trend giving rise to the type of voices that have typically been only seen in fringe or niche media outlets. But the more young girls get to see visibility of others their age breaking barriers and challenging existing norms while embracing who they are, it will empower an entire generation to do the same.

“‘Supergirl’ is not only a coming of age story or a sports film, nor is it solely about religion or women’s empowerment. It is a combination of all of these elements, which makes it dynamic, nuanced and compelling. At its core, ‘Supergirl’ is a film about identity and the struggle to figure out your place in the world amidst the pressures of today’s society. It is a film about embracing your differences and holding fast to your beliefs, even in the face of adversity,” says the Kickstarter description.

supergirl-documentary

To see someone so unique like Naomi enter world championships but also take part in such normal activities like her own Bat Mitzvah is a great example of what happens when parents encourage their daughters (as well as sons) to be all that they can be, without limitations due to their gender.

To donate to the Kickstarter campaign click here, and to find out more about the film itself as well as the crew (which features a female cinematographer – keeping in line with the whole women doing jobs typically seen as “male dominated”) be sure to visit the website and follow their social media accounts to keep up to date regarding the release.

If you want a glimpse into what you can expect from this heart-warming story, watch the video below:

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