Is 12 years a slave really a historically important and. Free black new yorker solomon northup is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the south. In 1841, solomon northup a free black man from new york state. Aside from the captivating story and tremendous acting, the historical accuracy of slavery during this time is gut retching. Overall, 12 years a slave is a brave piece of filmmaking and one to last through the ages in terms of acting and storytelling. In the precivil war united states, solomon northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free black man from upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by michael fassbender, as well as unexpected kindnesses, solomon. He worked on plantations in the state of louisiana, where he remained for 12 years until he was released. The recent movie 12 years a slave directed by steve mcqueen and written by john ridley is, for me, an incredible story of redemption and insight. But with the exception of a somewhat distracting thirdact cameo by coproducer brad pitt, it is pitched pretty near perfectly in terms. Theres no doubt that oscar nominations and possibly some wins lie ahead for director steven mcqueens acclaimed drama, 12 years a slave. Northup was put to work on plantations in the state of louisiana for 12.
In 2014, 12 years a slave was the 10th mostillegally downloaded movie, with 23. Solomon northrop was a free african american living in upstate new york when he was kidnapped against his will into slavery. Based on an incredible true story of one mans fight for survival and freedom. Though northup was literate, his autobiography was written by david wilson, a white lawyer and.
Emotionally, sometimes even close to physically, it was painful to watch and thats putting it mildly. What 12 years a slave teaches us about racism today busted. The movie won the bafta award and the academy award for best. Facing cruelty personified by a malevolent slave owner, as well as unexpected kindnesses. It is, hands down, one of the best book to movie translations. Oct 17, 20 12 years a slave starts its true story in 1841 when solomon northup british actor chiwetel ejiofor, a violin player living free in new york with his wife and children, gets tricked into a job in. During his traumatic time in captivity, solomon learns the difference between living and surviving and has to decide which path he wants to follow. Oct 18, 20 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. Through faith, will power, and courage northup must survive and endure those 12 years as a slave. Movies like 12 years a s lave if you like 12 years a s lave you are looking for heartbreaking, bleak and emotional movies about with slavery, life is a bitch, racism, freedom, torture, interracial relations and civil rights themes of biography, drama and history genre shot in uk or usa. What 12 years a slave teaches us about racism today busted halo. Benedict cumberbatch, chiwetel ejiofor in 12 years a slave. The movie twelve years a slave was based on the slave narrative written by solomon northup.
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. Based on the memoir by solomon northup, the film details the story of the free black man from the north who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841, spending 12 years suffering. 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. 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. Response to 12 years a slave essay 41 words 5 pages. Introduction the movie 12 years a slave was released in 20, covering the precivil war period in america, this astounding award winning motion picture film, tells the story of a free man sold into slavery and regaining his freedom in the end. To hear some tell it, perhaps hyperbolically but with real conviction, 12 years a slave may be the definitive cinematic treatment of american slavery.
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. Oct 28, 20 12 years a slave is just such an oral account. 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. With chiwetel ejiofor, michael kenneth williams, michael fassbender, brad pitt.
Twelve years a slave is based on an incredible true story of one mans fight for survival and freedom. The movie follows his journey through bondage and later escape. Code switch solomon northup, an africanamerican musician from new york, was kidnapped and sold into slavery in. But with the exception of a somewhat distracting thirdact cameo by coproducer brad. Twelve years a slave is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. 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. Code switch solomon northup, an africanamerican musician from new york, was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. 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. His abduction as a free man, his resulting transformation into a slave and his detainment as a slave irreversibly altered the course of his life. The only thing that lets this film down is the rather odd beginning and the at times lessthanclear dialogue. In the antebellum united states, solomon northup, a free black man from upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery.
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. 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. Oct 19, 20 12 years is the story of a slave whose end is a mystery. In 1841, african american solomon northup, a free man, is kidnapped and forced into slavery under the name platt for 12 years. 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. Jan 11, 2014 12 years a slave is not an easy watch and nor should it be. Michael fassbender and steve mcqueen in 12 years a slave 20 chiwetel ejiofor at an event for 12 years a. The subject matter made 12 years a slave a very uncomfortable film to watch, although some of the actors gave astonishing performances.
In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, solomons chance meeting with a canadian abolitionist brad pitt forever alters his life. In the precivil war united states, solomon northup, a free black man living in upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery. During his traumatic time in captivity, solomon learns the difference between living and surviving and has. 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. Steve mcqueen, the british video artist who made hunger and shame, spares his audience little.
However, it fails to make a clearcut statement about the slavery issue or provide new insight on that dark chapter. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing 12 years a. White plantation workers speak in standard redneck cliches. Apart from that, it is a very good film, but be prepared to be shocked by some of the violence. Though northup was literate, his autobiography was written by david wilson, a white lawyer and state legislator from glens falls, new york. Official youtube channel for 20th century fox movies.
This post was corrected to suggest a scene from the movie 12 years a slave was drawn from the book. 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. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses solomon struggles not only to stay. I always enjoy watching movies that have truth to them. Oct 21, 20 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 the slave owners most brutal treatment by. The movie won the bafta award and the academy award for best picture as well as the golden globe award for best drama. Oct 18, 20 and now steve mcqueens 12 years a slave does too. Chiwetel ejiofor portrays solomon northup and brad pitt is a canadian carpenter who befriends northup. In the precivil war united states, solomon northup, a free black man from upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery. Read the 12 years a slave movie synopsis, view the movie trailer, get cast and crew information, see movie photos, and more on.
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