What is Yitty?

“Yitty” tells the story of a Hasidic Jewish teen girl (Yitty), coming of age in Boro Park, Brooklyn. When Yitty runs into her friend’s brother Moishe at a Shabbat dinner, the two develop feelings for each other and plan to meet the following evening. But the meeting never happens, at least not between the two of them. Shocked and confused, Yitty is forced to explore the roots of her feelings and the tensions between her desire and beliefs.

Why are we creating the film? 

We wanted to capture the beauty, complexity, and humor of a world that seems elusive to most.  Much of the Orthodox Jewish-themed TV shows and films portray these communities as bland, pious worlds, devoid of intrigue, humor, and light. We sought to paint a more rounded portrait of Orthodox Jewish people, one that shows them in all their humanity, illuminating their unique spirit, sense of humor, warmth, and depth.

Yitty is a young woman who wrestles with surging hormones, a crush on a boy, and a family who almost – but doesn’t quite – understand her. It’s a story that anyone, from any culture, who has ever been a teenager, can relate to. The film proves that no matter how distant or foreign a culture might seem, once you squint past the funny clothes and traditions, you will, almost inevitably, see traces of yourself in them.

Sneak peek of the script:

Below is an exclusive look at the first scene of Yitty!

EXT. 13TH STREET, BORO PARK – MORNING

A series of shots of a bustling 13th Avenue. Wig shops, candy
shops. Gossipy girls clad in Hasidic Jewish garb (long
skirts, long shirts). Kippah-ed men on iPhones. Latino teens
on bikes.

INT. YITTY’S HOUSE, KITCHEN – MORNING

The shy, bright-eyed, Hasidic teen YITTY, 17, cuts vegetables
with her mother ESTHER.

ESTHER
I just don’t see what the point is.

YITTY
Of college? To study. To get an education.

ESTHER
What would you study?

YITTY
I don’t know. Psychology.

ESTHER
You should study your father. Find out what’s
wrong with him.

YITTY
There’s nothing wrong with ta, ima.

ESTHER
You think your father showers? You think he smells nice?

YITTY
No.

ESTHER
Your tati smells like all your great aunts COMBINED.

YITTY
Ima…

ESTHER
But I still love him. He gave me my children. I wanted children. That’s
what marriage is. Supply. Demand.

Yitty stares out the window at

MOISHE, 18, walking past the house. He’s bearded, top-hatted,
not quite a man yet but really trying. Their eyes meet. Time
freezes. The earth expands.

End Scene

What are people saying (about the script)?

“This gentile thought it was hilarious,” – George Ferris, Screenwriter, Snowbound

“Charming…a real joy” – Phyllis Geller, Producer, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Who are we?

Umit Gulsen – Producer, Cinematographer

Umit was the cinematographer for the HBO documentary We Are Not Done Yet, produced by Emmy Award winner Jeffrey Wright, and was the producer and cinematographer on the soap opera web series Anacostia, which won an Emmy for Outstanding Performer in a New Approaches Drama Series. Umit was also a cinematographer on the 10-episode Brazillian docuseries Quebrando o Tabu, as well as the feature film Beautiful Dreamer, which was picked up by Amazon Prime. Umit has shot for the BBC, National Geographic, Interscope Records, IKEA, Williams Sonoma, Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Jewish Federation of North America.

Rachel Ament, Producer, Writer, Director

Rachel is a DC-based writer and editor who has written for The New York Times, The Paris Review, NPR, Oxygen, Teen Vogue, The Jerusalem Post, and Mariashriver.com, among other outlets. She edited, and compiled the essay collection Jewish Daughter Diaries, featuring original writing by Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik and Excused star Iliza Schlesinger. Rachel’s short film Tell Me About Orange was recently produced by the Cannes-selected filmmaker Jane Barbara, and was the recipient of the Cusumano Finishing Fund.  Rachel was also a member of the writing staff for the feature film Nola, produced by Married with Children star Harold Sylvester.

Malikkah Rollins, Producer

Malikkah is a DC-based filmmaker and educator who is a current fellow for the filmmaking program Docs in Progress.  An active member of Women & Film and Video DC, Malikkah was the assistant director for the feature film Shadow Glories and was the producer for the short film Tell Me About Orange. For her Docs in Progress project, she will be producing and directing the documentary Safer in Lusaka, which will follow the lives of three DC teens from the impoverished Washington DC Wards 7/8, as they embark on a summer 2019 service learning trip to South Africa.

Where does the money go?

Filmmaking can be an expensive process but we are only asking for the bare minimum. Your generous donation will help cover the cost of:

• Assistant Director
• Production Assistant
• Gaffer/Grip
• Location Audio
• The Editor
• Colorist
• Composer
• Actors
• Lighting Designers
• Production Insurance
• Location/Equipment Rentals
• Costumes/Props
• Festival Submission Fees

Inclusion Statement:

We are a multi-cultural, mostly female team with producers of Jewish, African American and Middle Eastern descent. Through this film, we hope to shine the light on a cloistered community that is often overlooked and misunderstood in the media.

Personal Connection:

The film’s writer Rachel Ament spent time living Boro Park, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn. The film is inspired by her time living there.

Thank you so much for your support! For any questions, email Rachel Ament at Rachel.Ament@gmail.com.