FILM REVIEW:12 years a slave

 12 YEARS A SLAVE

Drama film 2013

“12 Years a Slave” is a 2013 American historical drama film directed by Steve McQueen, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, and Lupita Nyong'o. The film is an adaptation of the 1853 memoir “Twelve Years a Slave” by Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the antebellum United States. The movie is a powerful and emotionally charged exploration of the horrors of slavery, and its impact on human lives.

1853 memoir “Twelve Years a Slave” by Solomon Northup

The film begins with the introduction of Solomon Northup, a talented musician and a family man living in Saratoga Springs, New York, in 1841. One day, he is approached by two white men who offer him a job as a musician,

 and after a night of drinking, he wakes up in chains and is sold into slavery. He is taken to Louisiana, where he is bought by a cruel and sadistic slave owner, Edwin Epps, and his wife, Mistress Epps. Solomon's life is now a never-ending cycle of hard labor, humiliation, and physical abuse, and he has no hope of escaping.

The film's portrayal of slavery is unflinching, with scenes of graphic violence, sexual assault, and torture. It does not shy away from the inhumane treatment of slaves, nor does it attempt to soften the edges of their oppressors. The characters are complex and nuanced, with both slaves and slave owners portrayed as flawed and human.

Solomon, played brilliantly by Chiwetel Ejiofor, is a man caught between two worlds, struggling to maintain his dignity and his sense of self in the face of unimaginable cruelty. He is a man of intelligence and integrity, whose spirit is slowly crushed by the relentless brutality of his captors. His performance is subtle and powerful, conveying the depth of his pain and the strength of his spirit.

The supporting cast is equally impressive, with standout performances from Lupita Nyong'o as Patsey, a fellow slave who suffers horrific abuse at the hands of the plantation owner's wife, and Michael Fassbender as Edwin Epps, a sadistic and abusive plantation owner. Nyong'o's performance is heartbreaking and raw, conveying both the physical and emotional toll of slavery on a young woman's spirit. Fassbender is chilling in his portrayal of Epps, a man whose cruelty is matched only by his insecurity and self-loathing.

The film's direction is masterful, with Steve McQueen crafting a visually stunning and emotionally charged film that is both harrowing and beautiful. The cinematography is breathtaking, with lush landscapes and striking visuals that serve to underscore the film's themes. The film's score, composed by Hans Zimmer, is also outstanding, adding depth and emotion to the already powerful story.

 It shows how the dehumanizing nature of slavery led to a loss of empathy and compassion, as well as the corruption of the soul. The character of Edwin Epps, played by Michael Fassbender, is a chilling example of this, as he is shown to be a sadistic and cruel slave owner who takes pleasure in the suffering of others.

The film also touches on the complex dynamics between slaves and their owners, as well as the role of religion in justifying slavery. The character of William Ford, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, is an example of a slave owner who is conflicted about the morality of slavery but ultimately justifies it through his religious beliefs. The film shows how religion was used to justify the oppression of others and how it was often used as a tool of control and manipulation.

The film "12 Years a Slave" is set in the United States during the mid-1800s, specifically in the states of New York and Louisiana. The film begins in Saratoga Springs, New York, where Solomon Northup, the main character, lives with his family and is a free man. After being kidnapped and sold into slavery, he is taken to Washington, D.C. and then to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he is bought by William Ford and later sold to Edwin Epps. The film depicts the harsh realities of slavery in the American South, where slavery was legal and widespread until the end of the American Civil War in 1865. The film's setting accurately portrays the time period's social and political climate and is an important reflection of the brutal history of slavery in the United States.

The cinematography and score are also noteworthy, with McQueen using long, unbroken takes to create a sense of immersion and realism. The score, composed by Hans Zimmer, is haunting and evocative, adding an emotional depth to the already powerful visuals.

 On balance "12 Years a Slave" is a masterful work of cinema, a poignant and powerful exploration of one of America's darkest periods. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder of the enduring legacy of slavery in our country's history. It is a difficult film to watch, but an important one, and it deserves to be seen and remembered for generations to come.

Reviewed by

Mores Murimi

CEO Tripple M Films

https://youtu.be/JWaRkopOIDs