8.24.23

Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani has been listed as one of the "15 Offbeat Documentaries You Need to See to Believe" in Wealth of Geeks, a website about investing, weird side hustles and pop culture. In her description of the film, freelance writer Donna Freedman writes, "the documentary explains [Mirzakhani's] contributions to the field [of mathematics] in ways ordinary (non-genius) people can understand."

5.12.23

As part of the May 12 celebration of women in mathematics, Greek Women in Mathematics is screening Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani on Friday, May 12, at 7 p.m., in person on the first floor of the Faculty of Sciences of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. A discussion will follow the film. (You will need to register to attend the event virtually.) In addition, a special exhibition of Women of Mathematics Throughout Europe — A Gallery of Portraits will be shown from May 2-12, with a public lecture by Professor Sofia Lambropoulou (NTUA) at 11 a.m. on May 12.

5.8.23

Writing in San Francisco State's Golden Gate Express magazine, staff reporter Ishaan Pratap reviews the May 4 screening of Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani. The event and panel discussion was hosted by the departments of Mathematics, Persian Studies and Modern Languages, in collaboration with the School of Cinema.

5.4.23

Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani will be screened at San Francisco State University on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. The documentary by Zala Films, made in partnership with the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute in Berkeley, looks at the life and contributions to contemporary mathematics of the brilliant Iranian mathematician and Fields medalist. A Q&A discussion will follow the film, featuring Mitra Ara, Persian Studies; Emily Clader, Mathematics; Steve Kovacs, Cinema and George Csicsery, director of the film and SF State Cinema Studies alumnus. The screening and discussion will be held in the Coppola Theater of the university's Fine Arts Building, Room 101. Sponsors include the School of Cinema, the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Modern Languages & Literature.

2.21.23

In her review in The Stanford Daily, following a screening of Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani, reporter Mirelys Mendez-Pons '25 noted that the Iranian mathematician portrayed in the documentary "broke down barriers and challenged stereotypes by excelling in a field that has historically been dominated by men. Her success has shown young women that they can pursue their passions and excel in any field, regardless of their gender." A panel discussion followed the screening at Stanford University, which was part of the Stanford Arts Camera as Witness Program's REFLECTIONS series, which celebrated the United Nations' International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

2.16.23

Camera as Witness Stanford Arts presents the Reflections series, celebrating the UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science, co-presented with the Bechtel International Center, The Hamid and Christina Moghadam Program in Iranian Studies and Stanford Film Society. A screening of Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani on Thursday, February 16, 6:30 p.m., will be followed by a conversation with filmmaker George Csicsery, moderated by Jasmina Bojic, Stanford Arts Camera as Witness program director, at the Bechtel International Center, Assembly Room, 584 Capistrano Way, Stanford, CA.

11.8.22

George Csicsery of Zala Films discusses his extensive film career, how he selects film subjects and his latest projects in a conversation with Michael Pardy, programmer with the South East European Film Festival (SEEFest) in Los Angeles. Listen here to the Frontier Café SEEfest podcast.

9.9.22

Asked to recommend a movie from the perspective of her own area of specialization, Professor Yukari Ito of the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, University of Tokyo, chose Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani. "While there are other movies about real-life mathematicians such as Nash, Ramanujan and Turing, the specialties of these individuals are often depicted as making them eccentric in their private lives. In contrast, Mirzakhani lived a 'normal' life, was married with a child and simply loved math. I want people to know that mathematicians like her also exist."

Professor Ito adds that there are initiatives in Asia and Oceania to launch organizations like those in the US and Europe for female mathematicians. A seminar is planned for the coming academic year in Japan for women studying and researching math. Read the entire review here.

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