Math Film Festival - UC Theater
Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Sponsored by: The UM Math Club
Film
Synopses
Fantastic World of M.C.
Escher 1:15
– 2:05
In this overview of the life and work of M.C.
Escher, examples of his incredibly detailed prints are shown and analyzed with
particular attention to his use of symmetry and geometrical figures. Patterns
in the Italian countryside and mosaic tiles from Spain were two major
influences in the printmaker's work, as was the work of mathematicians
specializing in "impossible objects" which could be drawn, but not
created in three dimensional space. Escher incorporated all of these elements
to create a fantastic world described as an encounter between imagination and
the culture of mathematics and science.
Music of The Spheres 2:10
– 3:05
Traces the evolution of mathematics and explores
the relationship of numbers to musical harmony, early astronomy, and
perspective in painting.
Transition to Chaos: the
Orbit Diagram and the Mandelbrot Set 3:10
– 3:30
Discusses concepts in dynamical systems theory
and shows 2 of the more fascinating images created, the orbit diagram and the
Mandelbrot set. Uses computer animation to show equations as dynamic creations.
Donald in Mathmagic Land 3:35
– 4:05
Donald Duck participates in a remarkable
adventure in Mathmagic Land, where the ancient Greeks tell him about some of
their basic mathematical principles. Donald discovers that mathematics enters
almost every phase of daily life - music, art, architecture, mechanics and
games.
The Proof: Fermat's Last
Theorem 4:10
– 5:10
Describes mathematician Andrew-Wiles' quest to
prove Fermat's Last Theorem and shows complex mathematical concepts with the
help of computer animation.
Pi 7:00
A brilliant mathematician teeters on the
brink on insanity as her searches for elusive numerical code in this critically
acclaimed, sci-fi thriller!
Starring: Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis, Ben Shenkman, Pamela
Hart, Stephen Pearlman, Samia Shoaib Writer and Director: Darren
Aronofsky, Released: 1998, Trailer
and Clips: http://aronofksy.tripod.com/pi.html
A Beautiful Mind 8:30
A human drama about the
struggle of a true genius, inspired by the events in the life of mathematician,
John Forbes Hash, Jr.
Staring: Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, Director:
Ron Howard Released: 2001, Trailer and Clips: http://www.abeautifulmind.com/
The math film festival is part of the activites scheduled for Mathematics
Awareness Month.
This year's theme is Math and Art; see: 
.