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.

7.15.22

Zala Films has begun production on Journeys of Black Mathematicians, an ambitious project sponsored by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute. The film portrays the rich histories and compelling stories of historical and contemporary Black American mathematicians. It will also showcase innovative educational programs in math for African-American students, portraying their experiences, struggles and accomplishments. The project is designed to appeal to both math/science audiences and anyone interested in the largely untold history of African Americans in science and mathematics. (Visit the project website to see interview clips of mathematicians videotaped to date.)

5.23.22

Zala Films producer/director George Csicsery joins mathematician Steven Strogatz on Monday, May 23, at 7 p.m. EDT at Starring Math, an online discussion of films that profile legendary mathematicians, presented by MoMath: the National Museum of Mathematics. Joining in the discussion of Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani, will be math and science writer Erica Klarreich, and math professor Amie Wilkinson, who both appear in the film. Learn more and register here.

4.21.22

Zala Films is pleased to announce the Second Edition of DVD and Bluray discs of Secrets of the Surface. The new discs feature the same film and extra features as the first edition, but with improvements in the Farsi subtitles, and new subtitles available in eight languages. Subtitles are available in French, Italian, Japanese, Farsi, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish, in addition to the English open-captioned option. See the order form and flyer here.

4.8.22

The Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics Colloquium presents producer/director George Csicsery, producer/director of Navajo Math Circles, on Friday, April 8, at 3 p.m., in a conversation about his work. Read more here.

3.18.22

An interview with filmmaker George Csicsery about his work on Secrets of the Surface was published in Kayhan Life, an English-language digital magazine dedicated to the global Iranian community. Read the article here.

2.17.22

Zala Films has completed production of twelve videos for the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM). A Seat at The Table - Association for Women in Mathematics: The First 50 Years, and a biographical interview with AWM's first president Mary Gray serve as anchor pieces. The series was produced over a two-year period with interviews conducted in honor of the Association for Women in Mathematics 50th Anniversary celebration. To watch, go to AWM's YouTube Channel.

2.15.22

Zala Films is pleased to announce that Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani airs on U.S. public television stations starting in March 2022 in celebration of Women's History Month. The film appears on public television stations via American Public Television (APT) beginning March 2, 2022. It will air on more than 120 stations via the PBS World Channel starting March 7. Check local listings and the Secrets of the Surface Airdates page.

11.18.21

Watch the broadcast of the excellent Q&A discussion about Secrets of the Surface and the legacy of Maryam Mirzakhani, which followed the Indiana University Cinema screening of the film on November 18.

11.18.21

Indiana University is hosting a virtual screening, followed by an interactive Q&A, of Secrets of the Surface on November 18, 2021, at 7 p.m. EST. Panelists include Drs. Hussein Banai of MIT; Laura DeMarco of Harvard University; and Shahyar Daneshgar, Shabnam Kavousian and Julia Plavnik, all of Indiana University. A limited number of complimentary passes will be available to watch the film on a first-come-first-served basis. The screening is sponsored by the Department of Mathematics, IU Center of Excellence for Women & Technology and the Department of Central Eurasian Studies.

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