The Eastern European Middle Eastern (EE/ME) Underserved Cultural Communities (UsCC) subcommittee produced a mental health film, titled “Trapped,” for the Russian- and Farsi-speaking communities. The film premiered successfully on May 22, 2025, at the Harmony Gold Theater in Hollywood and later debuted at the world-famous Chinese Theater. A total of 550 individuals registered to attend the film screenings, and 742 people watched the film on YouTube. About 1,300 people were reached because of this project, and this number continues to grow as the movie remains on YouTube.
The project was produced with subtitles for FY 2024-25 by film production manager Mastaneh Moghadam from Cultural Express for these two communities. The film focuses on mother-daughter relationships, addressing intergenerational conflict and gender oppression, which ultimately affects a girl’s mental health. The project’s goal was to decrease stigmas around mental health and learn about the mental health struggles that many Russian- and Farsi-speaking immigrants undergo. EE/ME Liaison Dr. Anna Yaralyan wrote the Statement of Work, describing the different stages of the film production and protocols. She also monitored this project throughout the year.
The EE/ME UsCC was established under the Mental Health Services Act to increase access to mental health services and reduce disparities for the EE/ME community residing in Los Angeles County. This group works closely with community partners and consumers to increase the capacity of the public mental health system to develop culturally competent recovery-oriented services, as well as mental health projects.
The film is a Gold Winner at the 2025 International Independent Film Awards!
Click here to view photo gallery. Submitted by the ARISE Division.
