A book turned film, Hidden Figures tells the story of three African-American women and their contributions during the Cold War’s Space Race that took place in the 1960s. At a time full of barriers put up by an oppressive system rife with sexism and racism, especially in a field historically made up of only white men, these women managed to gracefully overcome their setbacks and leave a lasting mark on not only the United States (U.S.), but also the history of humankind.

In 1958, within the context of the Cold War, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) agency had only just been created to further space exploration and match the advancements made by the Soviet Union. A highlight of this time, which came to be known as the Space Race, was Project Mercury, a U.S. program that aimed to put a man in orbit and return him safely before the Soviet Union could. With this goal in mind and with not a lot of time available, NASA needed the brightest minds available, regardless of who they were. The West Area Computers was a group of such individuals: bright black women capable of solving even the most complex mathematical calculations. Their contributions to the Space Race, though not recognized until much later, are now forever preserved and commemorated in the 2016 film Hidden Figures.

To be a Woman and Black

Though many women played a part in NASA’s achievements, the movie focuses on three individuals — Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Dorothy Vaughn — and the struggles they faced to find success in their careers. Their story takes place in the state of Virginia, part of “The South,” at a time when Jim Crow Laws and the racism they encouraged were still part of the day-to-day. From Johnson having to use colored bathrooms, to Vaughn’s inability to get promoted due to her race, such injustices were portrayed in the film, included as an important narrative in each main character's story . Yet the discrimination extended even to the women’s gender and the stereotypes it implicated. A particularly impactful shot in the film belongs to the scene where Mary walks into a classroom where both the students and the professor, all white and male, are baffled at the thought of a woman taking engineering lessons.

Taking another step forward, the film portrays the intersectionality of race and gender, as Johnson experiences prejudice even within the black community. During her first interaction with Sergeant Jim Johnson, he seems skeptical of the fact that Katherine Johnson could be working at NASA as a female mathematician. While his attitude towards female scientists is rectified later on, he would not be the last one to question her or her colleague’s aptitudes, highlighting the extra burden black women have had to endure merely due to who they are. Nonetheless, the movie does more than just paint a grim picture of the 1960s; it leaves viewers with a sense of hope and pride, seeing that each small battle fought by these women ultimately led them to become part of NASA’s history. Jackson went on to become NASA’s first black female engineer, Vaughn became its first black female supervisor, and Johnson would play a key role in getting the U.S. to reach the Moon and thus finally win the Space Race.

Creative Liberties That Undermine History

While based on a true story, the events shown in Hidden Figures are not all one hundred percent real. Two main creative adaptations stand out in their lack of historical base, and the impact that had on the movie’s message. Johnson’s thirty-minute trips to the colored bathroom, and the later scene where Harrison, her supervisor, knocks down the colored bathroom sign are not historically accurate. Though it is true that NASA still had segregated bathrooms, the real Katherine Johnson clarified in an interview with Vice News that she simply went into the white bathrooms. Such defiance of the norms is a powerful example of strength in and of itself, yet the producer of the film changed the storyline to include a white man to come and save the day. Similarly, the scene where Johnson is invited into the viewing room by Harrison to watch the launch of spacecraft Friendship 7 never happened. In reality, she was not allowed into the viewing room and instead followed the mission from a TV.

Even if such deviations from history are sometimes warranted, the type of changes made in Hidden Figures go against the original purpose of the film. Instead of highlighting a minority’s struggle and their resilience, they reinforce a white savior trope that only serves to ease the conscience of white people. Some may argue that it is not a white savior trope, but an example of how privileged groups can use their advantages to inspire change. Nevertheless, if it is allyship that the producers wanted to depict, there might have been other ways to go about it which would have not stolen focus from the movie’s protagonists. For example, during Mary Jackson’s crusade to become an engineer, the judge in charge of her trial grants her permission to attend an all-white school and take the classes that will help her achieve that goal. However, this only happens thanks to Jackson’s efforts and cleverness, which ultimately convince the judge to rule in her favor. Thus, he takes on a more subtle helping role that still shines a light on the obstacles black women have to overcome.

The delicate balance between captivating storytelling and honoring historical accuracy becomes a topic for contemplation, as artistic liberties run the risk of obscuring the authentic struggles and achievements of the remarkable women introduced in Hidden Figures. Still, it cannot be denied that the movie successfully sparks conversations about the overlooked contributions of marginalized groups in history, and inspires future generations to pursue their dreams relentlessly, regardless of the obstacles that lie ahead. 

Film information

Title: Hidden Figures

Release date: March 23, 2017

Genre: Drama

Director: Theodore Melfi

Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae

Running time: 226 minutes