For this continuous internal assessment, we were collectively asked to select a specific clip or

a compilation as such of a particular film implying any concept related to organisational

behaviour or management. Following the purpose, our group has taken up the topic of cross-
cultural differences which inevitably exists within an organisation or any formal business
environment. The universal phenomenon is that they exist in every aspect of our lives. Most
of the time, people accommodate, sublimate or ignore these different 'cultures', because of
common ground, shared goals and like interests. When people concentrate on similarities, the
differences are less noticeable, or at any rate, less important. Once, we get a certain amount
of common ground, we can 'get along'.

To exemplify cross cultural differences at its best, our group has selected a movie titled
“Hidden figures”. Hidden Figures is a 2016 American biographical drama film directed
by Theodore Melfi and written by Melfi and Allison Schroeder. It is loosely based on
the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly about black
female mathematicians who worked at the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) during the Space Race. The film however, effectively conveys the
poisonous normalcy of white supremacy, and the main characters’ determination to pursue
their ambitions in spite of it and to live normal lives in its shadow. The racism they face does
not depend on the viciousness or virtue of individual white people, and for the most part the
white characters are not treated as heroes for deciding, at long last, to behave decently. Two
of them, however, are singled out for commendation: John Glenn, portrayed by Glen Powell
as a natural democrat with no time for racial hierarchies; and Al Harrison, the head of
Katherine’s group, for whom the success of the mission is more important than colour.

The engagement, enthusiasm and interest level of our team while working at this project was
maximum as the cross- cultural issue addressed here is mainly racism and massive gender
discrimination which needs to be put forward and eradicated completely; and collectively we
as a group has given it paramount importance to highlight this issue conspicuously. This
pedagogical tool of emphasising on a movie clip to elucidate any major concept related to
organisational behaviour is indeed an effective way to engage us in learning and
collaborating with each other for such projects. It helps us in viewing a better glimpse of the
actual reality of the world and provides us with useful practical insights to gain deeper
knowledge of the topic or the issue as such.

To conclude however, we feel that like most films about real-world breakthroughs, “Hidden
figures” is content to stay established within conventions. The story maybe new to most
viewers but the way it has been told and put forward can make it familiar to all but the
youngest.