Filmed over ten years, “Transcending Ellenville” is a feature documentary work-in-progress that follows three transgender friends as they struggle to get by in rural America. Ashlee, James and Amy are working class people who are determined to live and love freely in the place they call home. Despite the challenges, these small-town trailblazers find agency in each other.
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“Transcending Ellenville” captures the unseen story of what it means to be working class and transgender in rural America. Amy, Ashlee and James all struggle financially in their failing, forgotten hometown of Ellenville…and they are not alone in their plight. Roughly thirty percent of transgender people in the United States live below the poverty line. They can’t afford fancy clothes or expensive surgeries. They aren’t living the glamorous life in a big city. Everyday transgender Americans are often overlooked and rarely portrayed on screen - until now.
SHE/HER
Ashlee is a striking blond beauty with a quirky sense of fashion who catches everyone’s eye. She yearns for a life of faith and community but is often ostracized, most painfully by the members of her own synagogue. Fiercely outspoken, Ashlee’s opinions often differ from those held by the wider transgender community. She wants to be accepted as a conservative Jewish woman but also enjoys being a sexy girlfriend and modeling in New York City. Ashlee’s boyfriend struggles with addiction and can’t provide her with the stable homelife she craves. Will Ashlee find her sense of belonging in a man’s arms or elsewhere? Only time will tell.
HE/HIM
Intelligent and kind, James builds his community by volunteering at the local community center. He's done deep personal work to move past the abuse that took place during his childhood and also tries to forgive his mother for not preventing it. James’ fiancé works for the military and when she is stationed in Florida, the couple decides to move there together. Her benefits cover them both but James is suddenly left without healthcare when the military changes its policies towards its transgender members. Back in Ellenville, James’ parents continue to struggle with their son’s transition and the physical distance exacerbates their communication issues. Anxiety hampers James’ efforts to find employment in his new town but he is hopeful nonetheless. James’ wife is a steadfast source of support and James intends to make her proud.
SHE/HER
Infamous as her town’s graveyard shift taxi driver, Amy is a compassionate mentor and friend to both Ashlee and James. She helps them navigate medical challenges as well as the personal struggles that accompany their transition experience. Amy also has a close relationship with her two adult children but they still call her “dad” even though she transitioned years ago. After a lifetime of smoking, Amy struggles with serious health issues yet somehow maintains a relentlessly optimistic demeanor. Financial troubles loom and Amy's son sadly passes away but she continues to fight for what she needs to feel whole. She is determined to get gender confirmation surgery before she dies and she’s willing to take on the medical system to get it.
GENE FISCHER
HE/HIMPRODUCER, DIRECTOR
CECILIA GENTILI
SHE/HERCONSULTING PRODUCER
EMILY ABT
SHE/HERPRODUCER, CO-EDITOR
JEFF MARCELLO
HE/HIMEDITOR
JESSICA PEETERS
SHE/HERASSOCIATE EDITOR
LÉOH HAILU-GHERMAY
THEY/THEMCONSULTING PRODUCER
ANA AREIAS
SHE/HERGRAPHIC DESIGNER
JOLANY ALCANTARA
SHE/HERSOCIAL MEDIA PRODUCER
“When I first met James and Ashlee in 2012, I immediately empathized with what they were going through in Ellenville. I also grew up in a small town where I was ostracized and mistreated. But instead of being bullied for being gay, Ashlee and James were harassed for being transgender. I suggested we collaborate on a film that would capture their experiences, the beautiful ones as well as the heartbreakers. James, Ashlee and Amy were excited to have their voices be heard and I picked up my camera accordingly. It’s now twelve years later and we can’t wait to share this film with audiences soon. The story we’re telling together feels genuinely epic.”
GENE FISHERDIRECTOR
IN LOVING MEMORY OF CECI
1972 – 2024
1972 – 2024
Our film's beloved Consulting Producer Cecilia Gentili recently passed away. She was an iconic transgender author/activist as well as our friend and collaborator. Cecilia supported the making of this film over several years and believed deeply in the power of storytelling. “Transcending Ellenville” is being made in Cecilia’s loving memory and will be dedicated to her when it is complete.
Email us @ fischer.gene@gmail.com
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