Hidden Figures (2016)

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Hidden Figures Poster

Hidden Figures is American biographical drama movie who released on December 25, 2016 United States and directed by Theodore Melfi. The film is adapted from Margot Lee Shetterly's book "Hidden Characters: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Female Mathematician Who Helped Win the Space Race". The focus of the film is Three real-life African American female pioneers: Katherine Johnson played by Taraji P. Henson, Dorothy Vaughan played by Oktavia Spencer, and NASA human "computers" "Mary Jackson played by Janelle Monáe of the team.

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. Their tenacity, willpower and wisdom have made them leave their mark in American history, although so far, their story has not been made public.

According to Los Angeles Time, "Hidden People" received 6 major nominations in 2017, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay by Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi , And the best actress in a supporting role by Octavia Spencer.

Plot

The film was released in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia in 1926 who 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 is an engineer. Unless she successfully passed the expert training at a white university, the engineer was rejected by a NASA technician. 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. At the same time, Katherine Goble is the main character of this movie.

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

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.

At the same time, Dorothy Vaughan has always been the acting director of the department, only responsible, but without a title or related salary. Dorothy believes that her rejected 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 had difficulty obtaining the qualifications required for promotion because none of the high schools in Hampton, where she lives, opened the extended course to African Americans. Her husband, Levi Jackson, a civil rights activist, faced more severe challenges to her. He had little hope for 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 disturbing reading film and a guidebook for other scholars to write the history of technology, but none of these problems exist. The film tells a simple and clear plot that is different from the novel, and it does so with a jaw-dropping rhythm and monotonous filming. The contradiction between what women are doing and their motivation for doing things is still unresolved. The film did not explore the controversial fact that these talented women were submerged in helping the United States launch a cold war aimed at expanding American political control, and this system also put them and their relatives in trouble. As Shetterly sees in her novel.

Black Empowerment

In addition to negative reactions, we can also see positive things in this movie. On the positive side, they have the ability to face everyone and become a successful black woman at NASA. Like one of the actors, Dorothy Vaugn, who plays Spencer, said that if there is a girl who is passionate about something, even in science, regardless of their race, we should all be encourage, "If a girl, of whatever age or ethnicity, is inclined toward science, technology engineering and math, they should be encouraged and that passion should be fostered because if we only had the male perspective, women will continue to be marginalised and objectified"[3].

Another one is from Alissa Wilkinson in Vox who think that is the best kind of historical drama, delightful and inspiring story that’s still relevant today because of the issues about race, gender and diversity, "The result is delightful, and surprisingly timely. Hidden Figures blends contemporary conversations about race, gender, diversity in STEM fields, and patriotism in a thought-provoking historical package. And most of all, it boasts three terrific leading ladies (and a few great supporting actors too)".[4]

Reference