Film analysis

                Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures (2016) is a film that brings attention to the incredible achievements of three African-American women mathematicians who played crucial roles in the success of NASA’s early space missions. The film sheds light on their intellectual contributions and how they overcame racial and gender barriers to achieve greatness in a time of segregation and systemic discrimination. Directed by Theodore Melfi, Hidden FiguresFilm analysis is both an inspiring historical drama and a celebration of the unsung heroes of the space race.

Stars

Tarji p.Henson as katherine johnson

Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan

Janelle Monae as Mary Jackson

        

Plot Overview 

Hidden Figures is set during the early 1960s, a time of racial segregation and the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The film focuses on three African-American women Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson who work at NASA and are integral to the success of the U.S. space program.

Actors 

Katherine johnson

Katherine Johnson is a mathematician who works in the segregated West Area Computing Unit, where she does the complex calculations required for NASA’s space missions. Despite facing discrimination, she is given the opportunity to work with the Space Task Group, where her calculations are crucial to the success of astronaut John Glenn’s orbital flight.

Dorothy Vaughan 

Dorothy Vaugha is a supervisor of the West Area Computing Unit but is not officially recognized with the title. She sees the future of computing and ensures that she and her team learn how to operate the new IBM computers, thus positioning them to contribute to NASA’s evolving technological landscape.

Mary Jackson

Mary Jackson is an aspiring engineer who fights for the opportunity to take the necessary courses to become an engineer. Despite the challenges of being an African-American woman in a segregated society, she persists and becomes NASA’s first African-American female engineer.

Themes

 1.Racial and Gender Discrimination:

   A dominant theme in  Hidden Figures is the systemic racial and gender discrimination faced by the three women. The film highlights how the color of their skin and their gender placed them at the bottom of the social hierarchy, limiting their professional and educational opportunities. This theme resonates today as it sheds light on the ongoing challenges minorities face in fields like STEM.

2.  Empowerment and Perseverance:

Despite the discrimination,  Hidden Figures emphasizes the power of perseverance and self-empowerment. The three women use their intellect and determination to break down barriers, showing that success is possible even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The film presents a powerful message about fighting for one’s rights and the importance of resilience.

3. The Importance of Education: 

   Education is another central theme, particularly in how it empowers the women to achieve their professional goals. The film demonstrates how continuous learning, adaptation to new technologies, and the pursuit of academic and professional advancement enabled the women to break into spaces where they were initially excluded.Film analysis