“Palimpsest serves as a family investigation and a personal essay for Stephen, but what her efforts uncover — a desire for acceptance and belonging — finds connection across a broad spectrum. The vulnerability of Stephen’s filmmaking and willingness to share her story such that others may find solace, courage, and everything in between offers an inspiring message in and of itself. Especially in cultures that safeguard family secrets to a fault, Palimpsest demonstrates the value in opening the vault.” —POV Magazine

“The only problem with Mary Stephen's terrific new film Palimpsest: The Story of a Name is that it's playing only once rather than getting an official release, which it deserves, since it's far superior than much that gets released.” —Richard Brody

“Being a seasoned editor, Stephen masterly weaves these traces of fact using her father’s visuals and her mother’s writings to propel the intriguing narrative forward, sharing with her curious viewers her journey of self-discovery.” —Original Cin

“Palimpsest: The Story of a Name is a moving piece of cinema elaborating on the power of the documentary medium to reconstruct memories, as well as to alter them. It is precisely in the paradox between the director’s aim and the means at her disposal that the film becomes a compelling translation into moving images of the theoretical debate over the nature of cinema, and its alleged power to unveil a deeper truth.” —Asian Movie Pulse

“It is Stephen’s seamless way of organizing the sheer wealth of information, while finding time to experiment with framing and fictionalizing the material to the point of provoking us to wonder what is real and what is fabricated, that makes Palimpsest such a gratifying portrait of the intricacies of identity. Her unfolding, both inherently political and incessantly personal, will inspire you to confront your own.” —Fête Chinoise