12 years of slavery movie

The film pulled no punches when dealing with the harsh realities of americas slave trade and the evil acted out by those who took part in it. Facing cruelty personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by michael fassbender, as well as unexpected kindnesses, solomon struggles not. The answer to all is yes, and i would add that its a masterfully crafted film with. Northup worked on plantations in the state of louisiana for 12 years before his release. In some ways, 12 years a slave plays like a horror movie. In 1841, solomon northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free citizen, is kidnapped and sold as a slave to a ruthless plantation owner michael fassbender. To hear some tell it, perhaps hyperbolically but with real conviction, 12 years a slave may be the definitive cinematic treatment of american slavery. Overall, 12 years a slave is a brave piece of filmmaking and one to last through the ages in terms of acting and storytelling. Though northup was literate, his autobiography was written by david wilson, a white lawyer and state legislator from glens falls, new york. Analysis of the movie 12 years a slave 1429 words 6 pages.

It was released on november 1, 20 in the united states. Oct 21, 20 thats why theres a shadow movie just offscreen beside 12 years a slave, one that wouldnt show the abduction, enslavement, and brutalization of solomon northup at all. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, solomons chance meeting with a canadian abolitionist brad pitt forever alters his life. In 1984, pbs produced a television movie called solomon northups odyssey, and in 20, an oscarwinning film titled 12 years a slave was released. Emotionally, sometimes even close to physically, it was painful to watch and thats putting it mildly. Director steve mcqueens powerful film based on the true story of a man kidnapped and sold into slavery features an allstar cast including chiwetel ejiofor and. Oct 24, 20 the new movie 12 years a slave has been receiving high praise critic david denby recently described it in the new yorker as easily the greatest feature film ever made about american slavery. In 12 years a slave, mcqueen offers a wise and empathetic view of the house slave, mistress shaw played by alfre woodard, who has escaped from. But with the exception of a somewhat distracting thirdact cameo by coproducer brad pitt, it is pitched pretty near perfectly in terms. Jan 11, 2014 12 years a slave is not an easy watch and nor should it be. The movie won the bafta award and the academy award for best picture as well as the golden globe award for best drama. The new movie 12 years a slave has been receiving high praise critic david denby recently described it in the new yorker as easily the greatest. The film was first shown at the telluride film festival on. Oct 19, 20 12 years is the story of a slave whose end is a mystery.

Facing cruelty personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by michael fassbender, as well as unexpected kindnesses, solomon. Jan 26, 2014 12 years a slave is a powerful film that is based on the true and horrific story of solomon northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free man sold into slavery. Though northup was literate, his autobiography was written by david wilson, a white lawyer and. The subject matter made 12 years a slave a very uncomfortable film to watch, although some of the actors gave astonishing performances.

During his traumatic time in captivity, solomon learns the difference between living and surviving and has. Whether its blacks in the south, jews enslaved by the egyptians, concentration camp captives enslaved by hitler, by stalin, and mao tse tung. Neutral lets get one thing clear, slavery is a blight on humanity. Rarely, its true, have the cruelties of the antebellum south been so thoroughly catalogued. Steve mcqueens film fudges several details of solomon northups autobiographyboth intentionally and notto more completely portray the.

Twelve years a slave is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. Benedict cumberbatch, chiwetel ejiofor in 12 years a slave. Steve mcqueen, the british video artist who made hunger and shame, spares his audience little. But with the exception of a somewhat distracting thirdact cameo by coproducer brad. The best movie quotes, movie lines and film phrases by movie quotes. The only thing that lets this film down is the rather odd beginning and the at times lessthanclear dialogue. Its far from comfortable viewing, but 12 years a slaves unflinchingly brutal look at american slavery is also brilliant and quite possibly essential cinema. He faces the hardships of being a slave under the hands of a few different slave owners. Director steve mcqueen and screenwriter john ridley film were largely faithful northups 1853 biography, twelve years a slave.

Twelve years a slave is based on an incredible true story of one mans fight for survival and freedom. Based on the autobiographical narrative 1853 of solomon northup. It will be impossible to ever look at gone with the wind the same way after 12 years a slave, a brutally powerful and emotionally devastating film that takes great pains to rip. Oct 28, 20 12 years a slave is just such an oral account. Through faith, will power, and courage northup must survive and endure those 12 years as a slave. What 12 years a slave teaches us about racism today busted halo. Twelve years a slave has twice been adapted for film. This gripping film features an allstar cast, including benedict cumberbatch, brad pitt, paul dano and newcomer lupita nyongo. It is one of the most important of the slave narratives because it was published shortly after harriet beecher stowes immensely popular and influential. What 12 years a slave teaches us about racism today.

The film offers a grimaceinducing retelling of the life of an american man who suffered nearly unspeakable horrors despite being born in the right part of the land of the free and the home of the brave. In 1999, a historical marker was installed in saratoga springs to commemorate northups life. There are so many movies that has had a huge impact on our world as we know it, and unfortunately, not so many people watch these movies. Northup was put to work on plantations in the state of louisiana for 12. Does this fall into the art film category that so divides the moviegoing public. It delivers a riveting, shocking and heartbreaking glimpse into the practices of slavery in precivil war america, giving viewers a documentarylike perspective while gazing unblinkingly at scenes of unthinkable brutality and inhumanity one moment, desperate hope and incredible tenderness the.

I thought chiwetel ejiofor as solomon northup acted with incredible intensity, as did michael fassbender, who played northups violent and sadistic master, edwin epps. In 12 years a slave 20, directed by steve mcqueen, the audience is provided with an understanding of characters, place and main characters experience through miseenscene and cinematography. Oct 18, 20 and now steve mcqueens 12 years a slave does too. Oct 29, 20 12 years a slave is the most important movie of the year. Apart from that, it is a very good film, but be prepared to be shocked by some of the violence. White plantation workers speak in standard redneck cliches. In 1841, african american solomon northup, a free man, is kidnapped and forced into slavery under the name platt for 12 years. In the precivil war united states, solomon northup, a free black man living in upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery.

Northup, a black man who was born free in new york state, details his being tricked to go to washington, d. It stars chiwetel ejiofor, michael fassbender, benedict cumberbatch, paul giamatti, and brad pitt. From acclaimed director steve mcqueen comes this moving film based on a true story thats filled with powerful performances. This gripping film features an allstar cast, including benedict cumberbatch, brad pitt, paul dano and newcomer lupita. Through faith, will power, and courage northup must survive and.

Based on a true story, 12 years a slave depicts the journey of a free black man in the 1840s that is kidnapped and sold into southern slavery. Twelve years a slave study guide contains a biography of solomon northup, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. In the antebellum united states, solomon northup, a free black man from upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery. The moving and utterly brutalfilm 12 years a slave tells the real story of soloman northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free africanamerican man living in saratoga who is kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery. In retelling the harrowing true story of solomon northup. The rest of the movie shows how epps, and his jealous wife, mistreated solomon and a female slave named patsey for the next 10 years. The film is based on the memoir written by solomon northup, which reveals what happened after solomon played by chiwetel ejiofor a free black man living in new york in precivil war america was kidnapped and sold into slavery, before he was able to. Aside from the captivating story and tremendous acting, the historical accuracy of slavery during this time is gut retching. He was in bondage for 12 years in louisiana before he was able to secretly get information to.

During his traumatic time in captivity, solomon learns the difference between living and surviving and has to decide which path he wants to follow. With chiwetel ejiofor, michael kenneth williams, michael fassbender, brad pitt. This post was corrected to suggest a scene from the movie 12 years a slave was drawn from the book. Solomons only hope for escape lies with another carpenter, a man from canada who abhors the institution of slavery.