Film Lens
Bedlam is a 2019 documentary directed by Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, MD, that examines the mental health crisis in the United States through personal stories of patients, families, and medical providers. The film is set in various locations, including the LAC+USC Medical Center's psychiatric emergency room and jails where psychiatric patients are held. It captures the struggles of individuals affected by serious mental illness and the systemic failures they face.
Filmed over five years, Bedlam features the experiences of three patients and intertwines Rosenberg's own family story, particularly his late sister Merle's battle with schizophrenia. The film includes interviews with experts and activists, and it also shows the story of Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, and her brother Monte, who faced serious mental health issues and incarceration.
Why Watch
- •Meet Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, a psychiatrist and filmmaker.
- •See inside the LAC+USC Medical Center's psychiatric ER.
- •Follow the stories of patients facing systemic failures.
Did You Know
•The film was shot over five years, capturing real-time experiences.
•Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, MD, is both the director and a psychiatrist.
•Patrisse Cullors co-founded Black Lives Matter during filming in 2019.
•Bedlam premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2019.
Perfect For
Mental health awarenessDocumentary enthusiastsSocial justice advocates