The last month or so has provided movie-goers with seemingly countless options for interesting, new, and exciting cinematic fare, from the smash hit Rogue One: A Star Wars Story to the imaginative and intelligent La La Land. If you’re on the hunt for a new movie that will entertain and delight you, the choices seem more numerous than ever.
One of these said titles is Hidden Figures, a historical drama centering around three African-American women who participated in NASA’s Project Mercury. The film does a tremendous job of balancing its various themes and plot threads with the development of rounded characters and having a strong emotional core in its main lead.
Hidden Figures points out the flaws in American history in the sense that whatever accomplishments we may celebrate, there is more likely than not a more intricate and sensitive perspective that is often left unaddressed. I personally had never heard of these women’s story before this movie came out, and I don’t think I would be too far off by saying that many others are probably in the same boat. This story in particular has practically been swept under the rug, which makes one wonder how many others similar to it have received the same treatment.
First of all, seeing this film as a young Caucasian female left a far different effect on me than it would an African-American viewer. It tackles ingrained prejudices that could have even been held by my own grandparents or their friends. That in itself is a difficult thought to process, and can inspire some intensive self-reflection.
Although there has been an overwhelming amount of praise for Hidden Figures, there are still some (albeit few) who take issue with it. These individuals claim it’s a bit too contrived, or even that it’s “White Guilt Exploitation.” Criticisms such as these have a tendency to arise whenever a film centered around race is released (such as 12 Years a Slave or Selma). People may feel as though they’re expected to praise a film simply because it deals with sensitive and relevant issues, and eventually that may rub some people the wrong way.
The problem with this criticism is the assumption that these films were made solely to inspire white guilt rather than to praise the accomplishments and acknowledge the struggles of African-Americans over the last several hundred years. Accusations against films centering on racial struggles slip into the realm of insensitivity when they switch the focus from the men and women who have fought for their right to be recognized to those who are already a part of the dominant culture. A story of fighting against oppression should not be reframed only to once again star the oppressors.
The story presented by Hidden Figures is immensely important; it’s not only a part of our nation’s technological history, but of our history of racial oppression as well, and one that is all too often forgotten in recollections of our nation’s space travel. From a historical standpoint, it’s a story that demands to be told, and its focus on oppression, whether it be overt or unwitting, is absolutely integral to its ultimate purpose. Glossing over these stories or reframing their intent is a huge disservice to those whose accomplishments and contributions have long gone unnoticed. Perhaps Hidden Figures can open the doors for more overlooked, forgotten, or even hidden stories that still deserve to be told.
