Hidden Figures depicts the tale of a squad of female African American statisticians known as “human computers” who utilized slide principles, additional devices, and pencils to analyse the numbers needed to send astronauts into space.
Movie’s opening claimed that it was a true untold story, and therefore it isn’t wholly formulaic, which is why I enjoy it so much. My interest was piqued by the plot’s unexpected twists and turns, and I maintained my concentration throughout the film. According to my study and observations, the Hidden Figures documentary deals with racism, bigotry, and the need to succeed. The film depicts the life of African American women who worked at NASA as ‘human computers,’ solving complex mathematical problems both mentally and physically.
Racism, in my opinion, is a big subject in the film since white people assume that people of colour cannot work in the scientific world even though they assume that people of colour are one of the least visible minorities. Due to legal segregation, the three African American researchers who had to work at NASA were initially unable to share a workspace with the white employees. Although apartheid was abolished, biases persisted. As a result of their skin tone, individuals were perceived as less competent and less inclined to succeed. Then there’s the issue of misogyny, which is a recurring element throughout Hidden Figures. (Ikawati, 2018)
The movie revealed several significant scientific, technological, and societal insights. As mathematics is an application of science, it demonstrates how it may be valuable in every aspect of our lives, especially for NASA employees. (Amalia, 2020) It doesn’t matter whether a mathematical approach is ancient or new as long as it is produced in an experiment. Throughout the film, science and technology are intertwined, demonstrating their necessity and correct use. Additionally, the film teaches us about society, focusing on collaboration. One of the essential lessons in Hidden Figures was that collaboration does not care about our disparities.
However, I disliked one section of the movie since the movie just introduced Katherine’s love triangle, and there was no connection between the two of them. Additionally, my emphasis was on the difficulties they had in their lives and how they might make their climacteric work. For this purpose, I was a little disappointed but also awed by the author’s employment of imaginary characters to make the story more emotional.(Suarnaningsih, Junaid, & Nahdhiyah, 2020)
References:
Amalia, M. R. (2020). Women’s And Men’s Linguistic Features Used By The Characters In Hidden Figures Movie (2016). UNIVERSITAS AIRLANGGA.
Ikawati, A. (2018). Afro-American Women Discrimination on Hidden Figures movie: A Critical Discourse Analysis. Thesis. Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta.
Suarnaningsih, R., Junaid, S., & Nahdhiyah, N. (2020). AUDIENCE RESPONSE OF RACISM IN HIDDEN FIGURES MOVIE. English and Literature Journal, 7(1), 87-101.
