A new documentary directed by Wallingford native Jessie Auritt focuses on a young, Orthodox Jewish powerlifter, writes Nick Vadala for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Naomi Kutin, now 16, the subject of Supergirl, hails from Fair Lawn, N.J. She’s known for breaking a powerlifting record by lifting 215 pounds when she was 10 years old. The record was previously held by a 44-year-old woman.

The documentary focuses both on Kutin’s powerlifting career and her Orthodox Jewish upbringing. It was filmed when Kutin was between 11 and 14 years old, and is currently available to stream on Amazon.

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Auritt, who possesses a psychology degree from Tufts, first learned about Kutin after she broke the world record for her weight class. The director, who was also raised Jewish, said her primary interest was the relationship between the girl’s Modern Orthodox Judaism and powerlifting.

Auritt realized that, aside from having to make special arrangements to lift on Sundays instead of on Saturdays, as well as criticism over the outfit, the two worlds have gotten along nicely.

“To be honest, I thought there was going to be more of a conflict between her sport and religion,” said Auritt. “It was actually quite the opposite.”

Read more about Supergirl in the Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.

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