In
1841, Solomon Northup – a husband, father, violinist and a free black man
living in upstate New York – is abducted and sold into slavery. On what he thinks
is a music opportunity, he is drugged and thus dissolved into the world of
slavery. His life, from one of freedom, becomes ruled by whoever is his master
at the time. In this pre-Civil War America, Solomon finds himself desperately
trying to grasp onto whatever semblance of dignity he can before being released
after 12 long, brutal years.
The
film, based on the first scholarly edition of the real Solomon Northup’s memoir
– which gives it an incredible amount of accuracy and truth – stars Chiwetel
Ejiofor as Solomon, who has also been nominated at this year’s Academy Awards for Best Actor. This will
either be the best role of his career, since “Othello” in 2008, or will set him
up for more work that allows for his brilliant skills. The film also stars
Michael Fassbender (best known for his role as Magneto in “X-Men: First Class”,
Paul Giamatti (his role in “Cinderella Man” being one of his most known), and
Brad Pitt.
This
is the third feature directed by Steve McQueen and written
by John Ridley. The film is also one of the main contenders at this year’s
Oscars, receiving nine nominations in all; including Best
Picture, Best Director (Steve McQueen), Best
Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Best Supporting Actor (Michael
Fassbender) and Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong'o).
The
film was shot on location in New Orleans, Louisiana with some locations being
in close vicinity with the actual places that Solomon was kept as a slave. “12
Years a Slave” is being called an essential film in historic cinema for its
storytelling of a gruelling and painful journey of a man who withstood all odds
to get back his freedom. It might not be the easiest film to sit through, but
it’s definitely worth it.
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