Introduction: The Unsung Heroes of NASA
The title of the movie is ‘Hidden Figures’. The film was written by Theodore Melfi and Allison Schroeder. It is directed by Theodore Melfi, an American screenwriter, film director, and producer. In 2016, he was awarded at Oscar’s where he received a nomination for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. The movie was based on a true story when America stood on the brink of the World War II, they focused on pushing the aeronautical advancement to stand better and powerful than other countries, especially the Soviet Union. They were in high demand for mathematicians. The power of women played a big part in this movie. In the year of 1935, Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary acted as human computers and calculator. Because on their time, the human brain is the key because there was no digital or advanced technology at that time that can solve mathematical problems. In this movie, the help of African-American women was shown, and at that time racial and gender inequality was manifested. As you can see in the movie, women’s works were unnoticed, because they valued less the power of females. And also, racial discrimination was displayed by having a separate bathroom and space for African-American people. No matter what race you are, or what is your status as long as you can help your country.
The main characters are Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson. They are African-American female mathematicians who contributed a lot to the Space Race by NASA. The first character, Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson is a passionate woman and is a living calculator because of her fascinating calculation skills. Dorothy Vaughan is a computer programmer and a ‘supervisor’ of African-American computers in the West Area. She later became the supervisor in the operation of the IBM 7090. And lastly, Mary Jackson, she works at NASA in engineering and fought in order to attend an all-white school. Mary made history when she became the first African-American engineer at NASA.
Plot Summary: Triumphs Amidst Adversity
The movie starts where young Katherine Goble, an African-American protégée got to attend eighth grade early to a school dedicated for African-Americans like her. Her skills at mathematics are the reason why she was able to go to accelerate from sixth grade to eighth grade. When she got older, she works at NASA as a human computer together with other African-American workers, including her friends, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan. African-American employees who work as human computers at NASA were placed at the west wing and at the basement of the building. They were given a treatment that they cannot be with the American people, even their comfort rooms are labeled only for African-American workers. One time, NASA is looking for someone who is great at math, especially analytical geometry, in order to work Space Task Group, at the east wing. So, they have suggested Katherine Goble be their mathematician. Being there was intense for Katherine because she has to relieve herself to the bathroom on the west wing, due to the lack of African-American bathrooms in the east wing. Every time that Al Harrison, the director of the Space Task Group, will find her, she is not in the room. And when she has explained her side to Al about her situation in the Space Task Group, he went to the west wing and break the signage that says ‘Colored Peoples’ Bathroom’. He said that they, African-Americans or Americans, can relieve themselves on any bathrooms. One day, after the three friends attend their Sunday mass, Katherine met Colonel Jim Johnson but she was offended because Jim belittles the abilities of women and a few days after the incident, Jim gave an apology to Katherine. The mathematicians in the Group were amazed and was impressed to Katherine’s work. Meanwhile, Dorothy knows how to install the IBM and the machine worked, while Harrison’s men cannot do it properly. It’s John Glenn’s time to go to the orbit, Katherine was sent back to West Area computers together with the African-American workers. On the other hand, before John’s departure, Katherine and Colonel Johnson got married and lived happily together with Katherine’s daughters. When it is time for Glenn’s mission, Harrison’s team were not sure if where will Glenn land because the landing coordinates that the IBM computed is wrong. They called John Glenn to tell him about the discrepancies in the coordinates, with a reply that Katherine needs to check those numbers before launch. So, they ask Katherine to double check the landing coordinates or the ‘Go/No-Go’ point and went to the control room, just to have the door slammed at her face. Fortunately, Al gave Katherine a pass to witness the historical event. They contacted John right before his Friendship launch, saying he is clear for launch. They have him a successful launch and orbit the Earth. After hours of the launch, the employees in the control room saw that the spaceship has a heat shield problem. So, instead of the original seven-orbit plan, they reduced it into three. Al, with the confirmation of Katherine, said to John that he should not drop the retro package. This became successful and have John Glenn and the Friendship 7 land on the landing coordinates. With that success, Mary graduated and became the first ever woman African-American aeronautical engineer, Dorothy became NASA’s first African-American supervisor and has her group work on the IBM, and Katherine was assigned to work for Harrison again and went back to the Space Task Group.
Analytical Perspectives: Formalism, Feminism, and Marxism
Formalism
The title gave the meaning of the entirety of the film. The three main characters, namely, Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Johnson have done great accomplishments contributing to their race and to NASA within their lives, but they are quite unfamiliar in the modern era. They are the hidden figures that some people did not give respective credits for their work. At the beginning of the movie, Dorothy's request of being the permanent supervisor of the colored 'computers' was declined by the officials in NASA, even she gave the effort of being a temporary supervisor to her team.
Due to the movie is set in the sixties, imagery from the said decade have been used. These are evident from the start until the end of the film. But there are certain 1960s imagery that became symbols that give significant meaning in the film. One example is the pearl necklaces. In the 1960s, pearl necklaces are part of the fashion trend. Katherine at the beginning part of the movie was wearing a dark wood-like necklace until she works at the Space Task Group. The requirement for her to work there is a white pearl necklace. So, it might mean she is unwelcome to a group of American male mathematicians. On until she left the Space Task Group, she received a white pearl necklace from his supervisor, Al Harrison. This might represent that she was accepted by the people, especially those of different races.
Feminism
In the movie, three African-American women working as mathematicians for NASA during the Space Race in the 1960s. It follows their struggles both as women and African-Americans. Many scenes show how women get treated unfairly because of gender inequality. Example of this is when Vivian Mitchell, Vaughan's supervisor who consistently cuts her down for her race by denying her the promotion she deserves. Being a woman does not sum up what they can do. We are all unique and we are all special in our own ways. Multiple scenes that show feminism is when Jim Johnson told Katherine why they let a woman do a mathematician job in NASA and when Engineer Paul Stafford denies the request of Katherine Johnson to attend the meeting because she is a woman. We cannot limit the abilities of others just because of their gender. No one can tell someone on what she or he can only do, for we all have these abilities that others don’t have and vice versa. The movie also showed us the struggle of being a woman during that time. People questions their intelligence and abilities just because they are women. But in the movie, the three protagonists did not surrender and they keep doing their best in their jobs despite being treated unfairly. Their determination, diligence, and resiliency despite all their struggles makes them the kind of woman we need today.
Marxism
‘Hidden Figures’ is a movie that shows us that whatever is our stand in the society, whatever the color of our skin is and whatever gender you are, we all have this common, our uniqueness. These differences do not sum up what things we can only do. They do not act like fences who limit us to go and explore further. They do not sum up who we are. Like in the movie, where the protagonists show us that despite being different and being treated unfairly, they still stand still until they got that power to show others what they can do. Example of this is when Katherine went into the Space Task Group and her co-worker treated her like she was different. They put a kettle only for her due to her color. But these hindrances do not stop her from doing her work and pursuing her dream.
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If you have a dream in your hand then use that as your inspiration when facing challenges. We must not put down others because of their color or what. We are all created with a heart that feels pain and sadness. We must know the feeling of being in their shoes. No one can say we are not beautiful, we are all beautiful in our own ways.
Personal Reflections and Audience Reception
The movie gave an excellent way to motivate its viewers to be themselves and fight for what they are. Even the main characters became subjected to separation due to their race, they still done great thing for the improvement of their lives and the people's lives. Like Mary Jackson's perseverance on being the first ever African-American engineer to work for NASA. She pushed herself to be the engineer, not just for herself and her family, but to bring her race into the positive light that her race is can be leveled with any other races. We really like what Karl Zielinski said to Mary Jackson when they are near at the Mercury Seven prototype, “I think we can say we are living the impossible”.
On the negative side, we felt some slight irritation on some characters in the film. They seem to hate the three main characters just because of their race, not on their personalities or attitudes. These characters are not open to any new changes. One example is where Paul Stafford removed some of the 'classified' information on the book full of calculations for Katherine to double check. He said he redacted the information because Katherine has no clearance for these data. Even at the beginning of the movie, Vivian Mitchell seems to be quite ungrateful that they are there working.
Conclusion: The Legacy of 'Hidden Figures'
We are amazed by how women can do some tasks that you are not expecting them that they can, in this movie, equality was shown. Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary, these three women who acted as ‘human computers’ and became a big help at NASA by helping them calculate the momentous launch of John Glenn into the orbit and ensuring his safe return. The cinematography in this movie was great, we enjoyed the background music in each scene because it helped to bring more life to the movie. Everything seemed so real, the effects, especially those scenes showing the rocket launching. This movie is based on a true story that is why it is really inspiring to be yourself.
We have learned a lot from this. First, we saw that way back then humans were used as computers. They were focused on manual solving because technology is not advanced yet, but this did not hinder them. Second, racism and gender inequality were a big issue in this movie. Colored bathrooms, separate coffee between the white people and the colored people, but eventually this issue was solved when Katherine stood up and said her feelings on how they are experiencing the unfair treatment. Gender inequality, in some scenes in the movie, showed that some men don’t trust women enough for the job that is assigned to them. But the ladies proved to them that they can also do what men can. Your race will not define your personality, we all are the same and equal when it comes to helping our country. We need to give and take, and learn to listen to others.
Many people will be motivated when they after they watched the film. For example, they will be encouraged to achieve their dreams and pursue their passion in their life. And we were able to see the beauty of history, and how people did great even though the technology is not that great as it is right now, they can still able to make an effort to launch a rocket. And this film will make people wake up in reality, like in racial equality. Racial equality is giving an equal opportunity to all races, whatever physical traits or skin color you have. The film will also boost your self-esteem to do the things you want to happen that is hindered by shyness. And even though you are different from others, it does not mean you cannot do what other people can. Don’t be ashamed of your skin color, gender, or economic status, just be you and let other people see your worth in life. It will make us realize that no matter what race you are, no matter what your gender is, if the country is at stake that will not matter as long as you are doing your job to help and to protect it.
The critics suggest in digging deeper to know the real meaning behind each scene of the film and give attention to each line for them to understand the real story. Know the aim of this movie like if it has a cause and effect involving in the public. Deeply reflect and understand the film so you can enjoy it and look for its lessons. Allow yourself to be immersed in the film.
Reference
- Communicate Today: A Guide to Effective English for Academic & Professional Purposes for Senior High School Students. Author/s: Dr. Jessie Barrot & Philippe John Fresnillo Sipacio. Page Nos: 136-153.
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