A Critique Essay

of the movie
“Hidden Figures”
by Group 3
10 - Understanding
Members:

BALITON, MARIAN ANGELA D.

DUMPIT, JAIRUS EZEKIEL R.

MAESTRADO, JAMES A.

CASTILLO, ELTRISHA B.

RAFANAN, DEON JAMES A.

 "Hidden Figures" — a 2016 American biographical drama a compelling film
that sheds light on the remarkable contributions of three African-American women
mathematicians—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—during the
early years of the American space program during the space race era. Directed by
Theodore Melfi and written by Melfi and Allison Schroeder, the movie serves a dual
purpose; to celebrate the achievements of these unrecognized heroes, and to address
issues of race, gender, and social inequality. This film may greatly affect the audience’s
moral beliefs. It serves to open the people’s mind about inequality between men, and
women.

The movie "Hidden Figures" shows the lives and careers of the three brilliant
African-American women who played important roles at NASA during the 1960s.
Despite facing gender biases, they made large contributions to the success of the
space program. Katherine Johnson's mathematical mind helped calculate trajectories
for historic space missions, Dorothy Vaughan became a pioneering computer
programmer, and Mary Jackson achieved and broke the barriers as NASA's first
African-American female engineer. The movie shows how oppression of women
influence the work of an individual, that results to being unproductive of the
oppressed. It signifies women empowerment, that women can also do the things that
men can, or even dominate them.
For instance, Katherine Johnson encounters resistance when she seeks access
to critical information and faces skepticism about her mathematical abilities solely
based on her gender and race. However, once her talent got recognized, then gains
access to the important information, it got onto them that she’s essential to the
success of the mission. This shows the large impact of gender bias on professional
opportunities, and productivity. As Katherine Johnson herself states, "Girls are capable
of doing everything men are capable of doing. Sometimes they have more imagination
than men".
Similarly, Dorothy Vaughan's struggle to gain recognition as a skilled computer
programmer reflects the obvious gender biases that hindered women's advancement
in technical fields. These instances underscore the detrimental effects of gender
discrimination on the productivity and morale of the oppressed individuals, as they are
constantly forced to navigate barriers erected by a patriarchal society.
 “Hidden Figures" serves as a powerful tool to the transformative potential of
women's empowerment in overcoming societal barriers and fostering innovation. By
highlighting the achievements of Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary, the film inspires
audiences to reexamine traditional notions of gender roles, and recognize the value of
diversity.

The movie portrays the oppression of women and their subsequent empowerment,
which can lead viewers to experience moral growth and cultivate open-mindedness
and knowledge about discrimination. "Hidden Figures" helps people become more
understanding, open-minded, and aware by showing how women faced oppression
and fought for empowerment. The movie tells a compelling story and shows historical
events that make viewers feel for the women who were treated unfairly. It encourages
people to think about their own biases and take action against discrimination. Overall,
"Hidden Figures" teaches and motivates people to make their communities more fair
and equal.

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Ma’am Anna Cabanilla Marian Baliton
Jairus Dumpit
James Maestrado
Eltrisha Castillo
Deon Rafanan