‘Hidden Figures’, released in 2016, is an uplifting and inspiring movie based on true events that accentuates one of the hot potatoes in society – racism. The film was nominated for an Oscar three times because it's a really great math story and an eye-opener at the same time. This biographical drama film is about the three African-American female mathematicians who worked at NASA. This film has been directed and written by Theodore Melfi together with Allison Schroeder which was loosely based on the nonfiction book of Margot Lee Shetterly, starring Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson, Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan, and Janelle Monáe as Mary Jackson. The movie was initially released in English language on December 25, 2016 by 20th Century Fox before going wide in the United States on January 6, 2017. This movie, ‘Hidden Figures’ unveils the power of mathematics behind one of the greatest operations in US history. The movie showcases the reality about gender and racial discrimination that diminished one’s sense of self-worth. It is wondrous how a history genre turns out to be both entertaining and educational. It is well worth anyone’s time as it aspires viewers to dream big and stand up for their rights.
Plot Synopsis
The three African-American female mathematicians, Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson worked at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration during the space race between the United States and Russia. They played an important role in sending John Glenn into the space during the early 60’s. They work at Langley's West Campus, a segregated area at the Langley Research Center of NASA where the 'colored people' work as human computer – usually women employees, who do mathematical calculations by hand. Even though they did the same work as white people does, colored people were required to work, eat, drink and even use restroom in segregated facilities of NASA. ‘Hidden Figures’ reveals the story of a trio behind the greatest operation of United States that expresses practical application of Mathematics. It is an untold story that deserves to be told especially in today’s generation where discrimination still exist. The storyline was based on true events, which made it unpredictable because it portrays the behind-the-scenes story about the three black women who played a vital role at NASA.
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Themes
Racial inequality is the main theme of the film. It reveals the reality about the discrimination exist among different races in the society, wherein black people were segregated from whites. The movie unveils that no matter what skin color you are, or what race you may belong, you have the power to stand and fight for your rights. Also, this film talks about sexism where women were underestimated and viewed not on the same level as men does, especially in the fields of science, technology and mathematics. During that time, men have the only privilege to study particular courses such as engineering and they believe that they are more skillful and better than women. However, despite of the gender and race discrimination that these three women faced, these have been driven them in making huge contributions in the history. Their hard work and relentless determination have pushed them to strive harder and make a change in the society. The movie also emphasized the importance of having the right application of mathematics, science and technology in the operation of sending a man in the space. It reveals how powerful mathematical calculations is, in one of the greatest operations in US history.
Visual Elements
The film’s visual appearance is appropriate on the location and the time period it took place. The sets were designed to make it look like the early 60’s as well as the color palette. The costumes of the characters in the movie were old-fashioned which are same to the people in the year 1960s. The camera shots and angles were unique especially in the scene where Katherine holds the chalk. This certain camera works helps to convey messages to the viewers that doesn’t need to present directly. It develops sense of connection to the viewers that help impart messages effectively and creatively.
Conclusion
‘Hidden Figures’ is truly an inspiring story as it opens the door for black women to stand up and fight for their rights. It reveals the experiences of every African-American who work at NASA at that time. Despite the racism and sexism Katherine, Dorothy and Mary faced, they still strive harder and prove that law cannot bestow equality. However, even though ‘Hidden Figures’ is about trio it perhaps centered to Katherine’s story that’s why some events in the movie were different from the book it was based. Still, I will rate it 10 over 10 because there are only rare historical dramas that are both educational and entertaining to watch. This movie was also spiced up by relatively societal issue which helped it to hooked one’s mind. Even though discrimination can be the topic of most stories today, this movie remains unique for it was complemented by the aspects of mathematics, science, technology and social issues. That’s made it deserving for my rate of 10 over 10 for it fed my hunger for ‘something new’ and showed that mathematics it’s not just numbers but it can be cornerstone of great things.
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