Difference between revisions of "Hidden Figures (2016)"

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[[File:61Xj+jWzxoL. AC SL1015 .jpg|thumb|Hidden Figures Poster]]
 
[[File:61Xj+jWzxoL. AC SL1015 .jpg|thumb|Hidden Figures Poster]]
Hidden Figures is American biographical drama movie who released on December 25, 2016 United States and directed by ''[[wikipedia:Theodore_Melfi|Theodore Melfi]].'' Adapted from [[wikipedia:Margot_Lee_Shetterly|''Margot Lee Shetterly'']]'s book Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, the film focuses on three real-life African-American female pioneers: [[wikipedia:Katherine_Johnson|''Katherine Johnson'']] played by ''[[wikipedia:Taraji_P._Henson|Taraji P. Henson]]'', [[wikipedia:Dorothy_Vaughan|''Dorothy Vaughan'']] played by [[wikipedia:Octavia_Spencer|''Oktavia Spencer'']], and [[wikipedia:Mary_Jackson_(engineer)|''Mary Jackson'']] played by [[wikipedia:Janelle_Monáe|''Janelle Monáe'']], who were part of [[wikipedia:NASA|'''NASA''']]'s team of human "computers." <ref>https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a24429/hidden-figures-real-story-nasa-women-computers/</ref>
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Hidden Figures is American biographical drama movie who released on December 25, 2016 United States and directed by ''[[wikipedia:Theodore_Melfi|Theodore Melfi]].'' Adapted from [[wikipedia:Margot_Lee_Shetterly|''Margot Lee Shetterly'']]'s book Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, the film focuses on three real-life African-American female pioneers: [[wikipedia:Katherine_Johnson|''Katherine Johnson'']] played by ''[[wikipedia:Taraji_P._Henson|Taraji P. Henson]]'', [[wikipedia:Dorothy_Vaughan|''Dorothy Vaughan'']] played by [[wikipedia:Octavia_Spencer|''Oktavia Spencer'']], and [[wikipedia:Mary_Jackson_(engineer)|''Mary Jackson'']] played by [[wikipedia:Janelle_Monáe|''Janelle Monáe'']], who were part of [[wikipedia:NASA|'''NASA''']]'s team of human "computers."  
[[File:Batch-upload 1d1e29b1-88c0-4b29-850e-95f8d8628fda.jpg|thumb|200px|Hidden Figures Book by Margot Lee Shetterly]]
 
 
This was a community mainly made up of women who measured the complicated equations by hand that allowed space heroes such as Neil Armstrong, Alan Shepard, and Glenn to safely fly to space. They secured their mark on American history by sheer tenacity, willpower, and intelligence, even though their story has remained hidden from public view until now.
 
This was a community mainly made up of women who measured the complicated equations by hand that allowed space heroes such as Neil Armstrong, Alan Shepard, and Glenn to safely fly to space. They secured their mark on American history by sheer tenacity, willpower, and intelligence, even though their story has remained hidden from public view until now.
  

Revision as of 08:04, 16 December 2020

Hidden Figures Poster

Hidden Figures is American biographical drama movie who released on December 25, 2016 United States and directed by Theodore Melfi. Adapted from Margot Lee Shetterly's book Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, the film focuses on three real-life African-American female pioneers: Katherine Johnson played by Taraji P. Henson, Dorothy Vaughan played by Oktavia Spencer, and Mary Jackson played by Janelle Monáe, who were part of NASA's team of human "computers." This was a community mainly made up of women who measured the complicated equations by hand that allowed space heroes such as Neil Armstrong, Alan Shepard, and Glenn to safely fly to space. They secured their mark on American history by sheer tenacity, willpower, and intelligence, even though their story has remained hidden from public view until now.

Based on Los Angeles Time Hidden Figures received 6 major nominations in 2017 including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay by Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi and Best Actress in a supporting role by Octavia Spencer.

Plot

Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson and Kevin Costner as Al Harrison

The film opens in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia in 1926. Tells about three black women who at that time were a minority in the United States (US). They are Mary Jackson, Katharine Goble, and Dorothy Vaughan. Mary Jackson was an engineer who had been turned down by a technician at NASA unless she had successfully passed a specialist in white college. Then Dorothy, who has the job of acting supervisor or supervisor of the West Field, is still unable to get his position permanently due to the color of his skin. Meanwhile, Katherine Goble is the central character of Hidden Figures.

As the US races against Russia to position a man in orbit, NASA uncovers the untapped skills of three African-American female mathematicians. Katherine's supervisor Vivian Mitchell(Kirsten Dunst) assigns her to assist Al Harrison(Kevin Costner) space task group, Katherine becomes the first African American team member to assist in a key group and even work in the building that doesn’t even have a bathroom for coloured people.[1] At first they disrespectful and demeaning, particularly Paul Stafford (Jim {Parsons) head engineer, who is oblivious to her and has to face difficulties such as having to drink coffee from a separate cup.

Meanwhile Dorothy Vaughan has been acting supervisor of the section, only having the responsibilities but not the title or the associated pay. Dorothy believes not getting that promotion is largely the doing of her Caucasian supervisor, Vivian Mitchell. Dorothy seeks to discover as best as she can on her own about her tasks, with the odds stacked against her to keep herself and the whole African-American female computing segment important in this shifting time.

Mary Jackson struggles with the requisite credentials for the advancement because the extension courses are not offered in any high school in Hampton, where she lives, open to African-Americans. Her challenges are amplified by her husband, Levi Jackson, a civil rights activist who sees only a small vision of the progress of African-Americans.

In the end Dorothy, Mary, and Katherine Gobels Johnson were able to cross all issues including those regarding gender, race and professional lines, as they were able to fulfill their dreams above everything society has ever done due to their intellect and motivation.The struggle and dedication they put in firmly established all three in US history as true American heroes.

Controversy

Hidden Figures Book by Margot Lee Shetterly

Based on The Guardian[2]

Hidden Figures is a film with troubling delight to read and an instruction manual for other scholars writing the history of technology, none of those issues are present. The film tells a simple straightforward plot, unlike the novel, and does so with very plodding pacing and humdrum cinematography. The conflict between what women are doing and the motives they are doing so is still left unresolved. The controversial fact that these brilliant women are submerged in the process of helping the US wage a Cold War intended to extend American political control is not explored in the film, the same system that has subjugated them and their loved ones. As seen by Shetterly in her novel.

Reference