In theaters since November 1, Le Théorème de Marguerite narrates the initiatory journey of a young mathematician genius. To embody him, his interpreter followed a very specific preparation… which allowed science to progress!
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Can the happiness equation be solved?
A brilliant normalienne student, Marguerite (Ella Rumpf) has been working for three years on the complex Goldbach conjecture, which she dissects in her thesis with the help of her mentor (Jean-Pierre Darroussin). Marginal, the young woman maintains very limited social relationships, walks the campus in slippers and lives only for her passion: mathematics.
When she discovers that an error invalidates all her reasoning, her world collapses and she gives up. It’s the beginning of a new life, “like the others”. But for this passionate scientist, can the result of a life without mathematics be positive?
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Copyright TS productions/Michael Crotto
An anti-science fiction initiatory story
In many works of fiction, science serves as a vague and impenetrable backdrop used to justify the slightest plot extravagances. But far from these clichés, Marguerite’s Theorem makes mathematics an essential part of its plot. If they serve above all as motivation and a development factor for its main character, embodied wonderfully by Ella Rumpfdirector Anna Novion wanted to get as close as possible to scientific reality.
“How can we make this mathematics that no one understands anything organic? she asked herself during the writing process. I had to embrace the passion and commitment that drive Marguerite […]. These writings are like hieroglyphics, they are fascinating to look at, there is beauty in this abstraction.
The equations that we see in the film are all authentic, it was Ariane Mézard who was involved in them. Goldbach’s conjecture, which Marguerite wants to prove, is a problem that has not yet been resolved.”
Copyright TS productions/Michael Crotto
To evoke this scientific reality in the most coherent and realistic way, the interpreters had to be imbued with mathematical knowledge, like real researchers. In order to prepare as best as possible, Ella Rumpf And Jean-Pierre Darroussin (who plays her thesis director), followed the teachings of Ariane Mézard, a brilliant French mathematician and advisor throughout the film.
“Ella (Rumpf) was voluntary and shared with Anna and me the desire to highlight demanding mathematics even if it meant confronting the work of Fields medals […], says the researcher. The magic happened, in three months, I saw Ella transform. She joined the ENS, among her traveling companions, the other doctoral students […] who weren’t there to play.”
The preparation of Jean-Pierre Darroussin lasted a full month, during which the actor was able to observe at length the daily life of normaliens, from algebraic topology classes to student life in the cafeteria.
Copyright TS productions/Michael Crotto
But the secret of this long research carried out by Ariane Mézard to develop Marguerite’s mathematical reflections is that they have led to real scientific advances. Goldbach’s conjecture, studied by the mathematician like never before, has been deciphered at an absolutely unprecedented level.
“Which is crazyis surprised Anna Novion, Ariane made real progress on the subject before filming. Mathematicians who, in the future, want to demonstrate Goldbach will be able to watch the film and find key elements!”
An initiatory story of a passionate young woman, Le Théorème de Marguerite takes you on a quest for universal and intimate truth at the same time, to the borders of science and the human soul. To be seen now in the cinema.