Date of release: October 18, 2013
IMDB rating: 8.5/10
Director: Steve McQueen
Awards: Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama
Rating: R
12 years a slave, a movie inspired by a true story, follows the life of Solomon Northup, a free man from Saratoga, New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. The movie explores Northup’s (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) survival and determination to get back his freedom throughout his 12 years as a slave.
This movie left me flabbergasted for so many reasons.
I watch a lot of movies from different genres; always ready to experiment but this was the first movie that didn’t seem overly prepared though it was extremely convincing and dramatic. The raw emotions displayed by the characters captured the audience and made it believable. As a member from the audience, I could feel the emotions portrayed in the movie. From hope to fear, to determination, Ejiofor did an amazing job as Northup. He made you want to side with, to plea and cry with him as he begged for his capturers’ to let him go. This movie will definitely take you on an emotional rollercoaster that you won’t want to get off of. (It will make you cry. Do not say I didn’t warn you.)
This movie also stars the likes of: Lupita Nyong’o, Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender (Magneto in X-Men: First Class), Sarah Catharine Paulson and Benedict Cumberbatch.
The man behind this critically acclaimed movie, Steve McQueen should be encouraged to get his suit and tie ready because he will be attending and winning a lot of awards this Academy Awards season.
Favorite Quote: “Life is dear to every living thing; the worm that crawls upon the ground will struggle for it.” ― Solomon Northup
ALAians Media Rating: 9/10
By Olga Kanyansi
ALAians Media 