NDOUR Annelise Mossaan 1ère 5 ( Group : Célia & Matheline )

Hidden Figures film analysis ( Scientific innovation & responsibility

Cinema is part of the classification of arts, it is

even nicknamed as the 7th art. A clever mix of
entertainment, real or imaginary facts, and
secret ingredients. It has the incredible power
to make us believe, at least during the
screening in the theatre or television that what
we are watching is real. Some films are very good at this, and among them
“Hidden Figure” released in 2016. “Hidden Figures” takes us into the
mysterious world of NASA is the early 1960s. And more precisely in the Langley
Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The United States and the Soviet Union
are in a race for the stars. We can see all the difficulties encountered by NASA
in sending their American astronauts into space. NASA is mostly a white man’s
world. Currently, this prestigious agency requires the best engineers and
unfortunately education is impossible for women and people of colour.
Katherine Goble a mathematician and engineer, Dorothy
Vaughan a mathematician and Mary Jackson a
mathematician too; struggled to find a place for themselves
despite their undeniable talent and worked hard to make
their voices heard and to participate to the great NASA’s
project. To achieve their goals, they fought against prejudice
and pushed back all the barriers that stopped them. That
was not a battle won in advance, but they have succeeded
in establishing themselves in the agency. Hidden Figures is a sensational movie that highlights
empowered women who have done great things for the conquest of space at NASA and that
really deserve to be famous for what they have accomplished. But paradoxically, before
watching this movie, few people can claim to know them. For the simple reason that their
work has not been put forward and has not been given its due importance. They acted in the
“shadow” and that’s why the movie’s name is “Hidden Figures”. This movie deals with many
subjects. However, the main themes are segregation, gender equality, and scientific
innovation. In this movie, we can see that its different themes are contrasted. Indeed, Hidden
Figures contrasts the high-speed evolution of defence and computer technology with the slow
progress of equality and civil rights movement, which has moved hesitantly in the face of the
evolution of technology, defence, and computers. Firstly, we will describe the selected scene.
And then, we will see why it is close to the “Scientific innovation” area of study.

The genius of the film is that although there are distinct themes, often these intermingle in
several scenes. This means that a single scene can be analysed from numerous perspectives.
The theme of scientific innovation and responsibility is of paramount importance. Indeed, with
a major proportion of scenes filmed at NASA’s headquarter in Langley, it is undeniable that it
 NDOUR Annelise Mossaan 1ère 5 ( Group : Célia & Matheline )

is essential. Among the scenes that are particularly close to this subject, we can
mention the “Last Rocket Launch” scene towards the end of the movie. This scene
symbolises the fantastic achievement of all the work done by the main characters who are
Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson, and Mary Jackson, but also by the other
mathematicians, engineers, and scientists to launch astronauts safely into space. Firstly, this
scene includes various camera points. Indeed, we can qualify this one of alternate editing
because although the actions are simultaneous, we can see different shots around the same
event. Scenes that were filmed during the real rocket launch collide with scenes from 2016,
adding a real dimension to what we watch. Moreover, while watching the scene with the
rocket going to space in 1962, we can see Katherine Johnson and her supervisor with many
other people sitting behind their desks and computers or standing that are participating to
the launch of the rocket and doing the external checks to ensure the good functioning of the
high-risk operation. There is any information about the place in which this sequence takes
place but according to the different radios, computers, and the enormous screen, we can
easily deduce that they are in one of the NASA’s launch rooms. Finally, there are also little
parts in which we can see the actor playing John Glenn, an American astronaut in the rocket.

The authentic rocket launch. The character of John Glenn in

the rocket that was launch.

The sequence in the NASA's launch room.

Then, this sequence is of crucial importance in the theme of scientific innovation, “space race
and conquest” because this one mix in a single scene most of the elements and information
relative to this area of study. To understand this, it is necessary to analyze the different shots
and see why they are representative of the scientific innovation area of study. Firstly, the
rocket launch of the authentic video is extremely close to the scientific innovation domain
because when we contextualise it, it is amazing to see that in 1962 in this case, human beings
were able to launch astronauts into space using a rocket. This is simply spectacular and
represents a gigantic advance in this field but also in human beings’ skills. Because a few years
ago this would have been unachievable but thanks to the evolution of techniques and
calculations, it has been possible. Secondly, the plans with the astronaut in the rocket show
all the human being’s inventions and investment to achieve this goal. Indeed, he is wearing a
space suit to protect him in space which is an innovative creation. In addition to this, we see
a small part of the rocket in the background which shows the advance from a technological
point of view, it seems quite futuristic for the time and very ingenious. Moreover, it is not
clearly stated but the astronaut seems to be confident and very proud which shows the great
technological power of the United States of America. Finally, the scene in the NASA’s launch
room puts forward the American’s success in the special context of the war space against the
NDOUR Annelise Mossaan 1ère 5 ( Group : Célia & Matheline )

Russians. The fact that a lot of people are handling technological objects in this scene
shows the different innovations in material terms. Thus, all these separate short sequences
around the last rocket launch ultimately form a scene that highlights virtually all the
technological innovations that marked NASA in the 1960s.

To conclude, “Hidden Figure” is an interesting, rewarding, and inspiring film because it

highlights incredible women who struggled very hard to gain respect in a relatively closed,
male environment. Moreover, their impressive intellectual skills proved extremely useful in
the space race. That is amazing and wonderful. Personally, I appreciated so much this film. It
is quite rare; I think everything in this film is well conceived and imagined. Whether it is the
music by Pharrell Williams, the talented actresses and actors who were able to put themselves
in the shoes of their characters, the period clothing, the setting, or the dialogue. It is true that
there are some deliberate ellipses, but they do not spoil the story and we understand well the
stake of the movie. Then, as a big fan of astronomy, I am really fascinated to see all the
technological progress and inventions that were necessary to discover the space. Concerning
the subject of scientific innovations, this film shows us some of the advances in computers,
computing through the IBM or even rockets with their rigorous composition. It is crazy, but it
is in a context of cold war that there were many new inventions and revolutionary
improvements for the time. Finally, this autobiographical movie deals with various themes
that marked the United States almost 60 years ago. And yet, they are more relevant than ever,
especially racism, which is still very much a part of our society, gender equality which is not
yet a reality or technological innovations that are increasing day by day.