This poignant documentary follows a handful of disadvantaged young Iranian women who are provided with a sense of self-worth and the opportunity to experience a full range of life options through education and training.

Built in 2004, Omid e Mehr is a unique facility designed to support a small number of the most disadvantaged teenage girls. Their stories are heartbreaking. Samira, merely 14 years old, was repeatedly drugged by her prostitute mother in order to keep her out of the way. Motherless Nazila must care for her many younger siblings while dreaming about a career as a rap star. Susan has survived a string of temporary trial marriages, though the series of uncommitted lovers continue to abuse her. Tracing the breakthroughs and setbacks of these and other girls during their all-too-brief time under the guidance of Marjaneh Halati, a therapist and the center’s founder, we begin to believe that a few of these young women might have a brighter future. Someday they may make the decision to leave their homeland in order to have the freedom to express their true selves. (English, Persian with English subtitles) -- Jennifer Steinberg