Steve mcqueens muchhyped slavery drama is a brutal, excoriating and vital companion to quentin tarantino. 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. Jul 19, 20 12 years a slave is based on an incredible true story of one mans fight for survival and freedom. Oct 18, 20 steve mcqueen, the director of 12 years a slave, narrates a sequence from his film. In the precivil war united states, solomon northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free black man from. Clearly, by exporting films like 12 years a slave, white people relish the opportunity to repeatedly tell the whole world how the u. Northup was put to work on plantations in the state of louisiana for 12.
Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. Oct 09, 20 12 years a slave a torch for race relations, says steve mcqueen this article is more than 6 years old slavery was a gaping hole in film history and i thought to myself that i wanted to. National catholic register 12 years a slave made me angry, and grateful, in ways i didnt always anticipate the film, directed by british filmmaker steve mcqueen, been compared to schindlers list, a comparison that, in some ways, does it a disservice. Composition, sound design and story all cut together beautifully, and yet, theres no question that 12 years a slave remains an art film, especially as.
It is a film that stimulates at both an emotional level and an intellectual one. So brutal was it from the beginning, which clearly was an attempt to hit the viewer with a powerful punch to provoke hollywood film grade entertainment. Its so many other things, too, as others have noted. Best performance by an actress in a supporting role.
Music from and inspired by 12 years a slave is the soundtrack album to 12 years a slave. The story takes place in 1840s america, and revolves around solomon northrup, a free black man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Despite its limited release, critical acclaim has been. It is not the saccharinesweet pat on the back like spielbergs lincoln or anything warmfuzzy like roots. Oct 21, 20 the film may wrap up and end rather hastily, a move potentially inspired by mcqueens awareness of what a taxing experience 12 years a slave is to that point, but in a lot of notable ways it. In 12 years a slave, steve mcqueen juxtaposes beauty. Dont miss out, its harrowing and raw showcase of one of the most shameful periods of u. Oct 21, 20 12 years a slave is by far one of the best films of 20. Its intense and hard to get through, but an important film that everyone should watch at least once.
In the antebellum united states, solomon northup, a free black man from upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery. With chiwetel ejiofor, michael kenneth williams, michael fassbender, brad pitt. Director steve mcqueens powerful film based on the true story of a man kidnapped and sold into slavery. Even today, nearly sixty60 percent of film revenue is from foreign countries. The only thing that lets this film down is the rather odd beginning and the at times lessthanclear dialogue. Oct 18, 20 12 years a slave bluray and dvd debuts march 4th feb 4, 2014. Steve mcqueens film fudges several details of solomon northups autobiographyboth intentionally.
While both of those boxoffice and critical successes offered compensation for their heavy subject matter with outbreaks of humor and a hip attitude, 12 years a slave is a somber, meditative, almost poetic film that delivers the horrors of bondage stripped down and headon. Nov 15, 2019 and, like the 20 oscar winner 12 years a slave, the new film can help shape how we view the world, and ourselves, by sharing situations beyond our immediate reach. Based on the autobiographical narrative 1853 of solomon northup. Though northup was literate, his autobiography was written by david wilson, a white lawyer and state legislator from glens falls, new york. Twelve years a slave, narrated by louis gossett, jr. The films strength lies in its frankness and avoidance of either. It is based on the memoir of the same name, written in 1853 by solomon northup, and tells the story of a black man from the northern u. Mar 04, 2020 sinopsis film movie 12 years a slave 20 in the precivil war united states, solomon northup, a free black man from upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery. In the precivil war united states, solomon northup, a free black man from upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery. Considering the social and economic importance of slavery in americas history, the scarcity of serious films depicting the daily life of slaves in the confederate. Oct 28, 20 12 years a slave is a powerful, yet emotionally draining film that i recommend everyone i know see. Twelve years a slave public domain audiobook at librivox. In 12 years a slave, during the very first scene, watching the lashing of solomon northup chiwetel ejiofor, brought flashbacks of the opening scenes from saving private ryan.
It contains two tracks from the film score composed by hans zimmer, three tracks coarranged by violinist tim fain and nicholas britell, and original spiritual songs written and arranged for the film by nicholas britell, as well as performances by alabama shakes, cody chesnutt, gary clark, jr. The record contains twentyone tracks from the original film score written and composed by hans zimmer. Oct 28, 20 12 years a slave is just such an oral account. Oct 24, 20 12 years a slave was a film that no one was making director steve mcqueen tells fresh airs terry gross that he wanted to help fill a huge hole in the canon of cinema. The movie won the bafta award and the academy award for best picture as well as the golden globe award for best drama.
Clearly, its central theme is slavery and the depravity human nature that it can easily reach. Its far from comfortable viewing, but 12 years a slave s unflinchingly brutal look at american slavery is also brilliant and quite possibly essential cinema. Chiwetel ejiofor stars in his oscarnominated role as a free new york man sold into slavery in the year 1841. Twelve years a slave 20 film study guide gradesaver. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, solomons chance.
Sep 23, 2019 12 years a slave is a 20 biographical perioddrama film based on an adaptation of the 1853 slave memoir twelve years a slave by solomon northup, a new york. Dec 11, 20 the future looks bright for 12 years a slave, steve mcqueens acclaimed account of american slavery, as the film lead the field at nominations for the 20th screen actors guild awards. Nov 24, 2014 12 years a slave 20 full movie drama movies 20 best drama hollywood movie new movies 20 full movies subscribe to my channel to watch more upcoming movies. Its far from comfortable viewing, but 12 years a slaves unflinchingly brutal. Its far from comfortable viewing, but 12 years a slaves unflinchingly brutal look at american slavery is also brilliant and quite possibly essential cinema.
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