documentary film in Iran
because you’re never sure if
you’ll get permission to shoot.
And upon getting permission,
you never know if you can return
for several shootings, which a
film like ‘Sepideh’ depends on
as it follows the main character
through several years thereby
also becoming a coming-of-age
story,” Madsen said. “I was
very lucky to work with a very
skillful Iranian team and Iranian
co-producer. But every time I
went shooting, I was told that
it might be the last time. So it
was definitely a very stressful
period, never knowing that I
would manage to finish it. But as
Sepideh is insisting, so was I.”
Throughout the film, Sepideh’s
persistent spirit is tested but
never broken. At one point, we
watch as her uncle confronts
her about how her observing
outings with the astronomy club
members — some of whom are
male — could be misperceived
and the harsh consequences that
could follow.
With tear-rimmed eyes, the
teenage Sepideh responds,
“There’s nothing wrong with
me looking at the stars. After me
there will be 10 more doing what
COURTESY OF Babak Tafreshi
I have done. I’m not alone!”
Sepideh Hooshyar sits under a star-studded sky in Saadat Shahr located in the Fars province of Iran.
Madsen echoes this statement
research opportunities.
that Sepideh is not alone when
“I’m collecting information and
she speaks of how she sees the young
studying
for work on supernovae,”
woman’s story as a universal one.
“Sepideh:
Sepideh writes during a recent
“To me, ‘Sepideh’ is a film about
Reaching for
interview. “I am in the final semester in
hope,” she said. “It’s telling us that, if
the Stars” is
the field of undergraduate physics. It’s
we’re willing to fight for our dreams,
available on
a bit hard because I study in absentia,
then we might reach further than we
iTunes.
but I enjoy it so much even with all the
ourselves believed. If we dare to seek
hardships.”
out all opportunities and put effort into
One of the largest obstacles to
it.”
some research.
Sepideh’s
current astronomy pursuits
The film follows Sepideh’s journey
“I live like all other women in the
is the cost of equipment such as
for several years, but her story is still
world. All women are inspirational,”
telescopes and cameras. She has no
unfolding. Now in her early 20s, she
Sepideh writes. “I know that after every
capital to put toward her scientific
has married, begun studying physics
night, the sun will rise, and I hope that
work,
but
she
does
have
a
piece
of
at a university and had a daughter
someone really looks at the sky because
agricultural land that she hopes will
with whom she makes a point to share
one day produce enough profits to fund of my movie.”
the sky. She is also actively pursuing
18
Sky ’ s
Up
“The Jewel of
Lake Geneva”
The birthplace of modern
astrophysics and home of the world’s
largest refractor telescope.
Daily tours Monday through
Saturday and evening observing
programs year round.
Check the website for a current
schedule of times.
373 W Geneva Street, Williams Bay, Wisconsin 53191
astro.uchicago.edu/yerkes • 262-245-5555