12 Years a Slave (2014)

Today I witnessed 12 Years a Slave. What an extraordinary piece of film-making, Steve McQueen has undoubtedly created the go to movie on slavery, this film should be studied not only in film classes but history classes throughout the world.

12 Years a Slave stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup a free man in 1841 who is tricked, sent to the south and forced into slavery for, you guessed it, 12 years. What is so unbelievable about this movie is that it is actually based on a true story. Solomon Northup was a real man and this movie is the tale of all the hardships he went through which he put into a book published in 1853 after his release.

12 Years a Slave is a very difficult film to sit through, and its not the usual reasons - bored with the story, uncomfortable in your seat due to the length of the film, cringe-worthy performances. No 12 Years is difficult because it is such a harrowing movie. Some scenes are so shocking that it simply takes your breath away, you cannot believe what you are seeing, and knowing that they actually happened makes it even harder to accept. The fact that any human being can be treated in the way Solomon and his fellow slaves are treated is unacceptable and inconceivable, and McQueen does not shy away from showing the physical cruelty inflicted on those men and women.

Steve McQueen has once again enlisted the numerous talents of Michael Fassbender to bring his movie to life and once again Fassbender delivers the goods. He is unspeakably evil as the cotton plantation owner Edwin Epps who has been brainwashed into thinking he is entitled to treat his 'property' the way he does. It is a terrifying performance which has been duly rewarded, Fassbender was nominated for a Golden Globe which he lost out on to Jared Leto, and on Thursday he received an Academy Award nomination for his terrific performance.

This film is full of amazing performances by some of the greatest talent from around the world. American Horror Story's Sarah Paulson is memorable as Epps vicious wife, Paul Giamatti in a small but significant role as a money loving slave trader. Benedict Cumberbatch is brilliant as Solomon's first master who in maybe the cruelest move shows him compassion and kindness only to give him hope and rip it away when he reluctantly sells him to Edwin Epps. Brad Pitt who's production company Plan B made the film when many others turned it down plays a small part as a white man who fights for the equality of all people. His is a very small part probably no longer than five minutes but it is one of the most important and memorable. He is the sanity and warmth among the harsh cruelty and insanity of those in the south.

But if you're looking for a standout performance it has got to be newcomer Lupita Nyong'o. The fact that this is her first role is absolutely incredible, she just lives the character. She plays Patsey the best cotton picker on Epps plantation. She has the unfortunate disadvantage of being a favorite of Epps who has a strained relationship with his wife due to his blatantly obvious feelings towards Patsey. This favoritism does her no favors as his deep sense of self-loathing because of these feelings often lead to him lashing out and physically beating her. She also receives nothing but venom from Paulson as the jealous unforgiving wife who blames her rather than her drunkard straying husband. Nyong'o is terrific in the role and the industry obviously agrees she lost out to Jennifer Lawrence for Best supporting actress at the Golden Globes but has won the Critics Choice Awards and the SAG award for her portrayal. Not bad for a girl not long out of Yale.

This is only British director Steve McQueen's 3rd film, which is astounding, both Hunger and Shame share not only Fassbender but a dramatic punch which floors audiences. You cannot come out of one of his films without something to say, they are excellent pieces of cinema that will linger long in your memory. One of the most noticeable effects I noticed in this film were the long takes, you are willing him to cut, but they go on and on, it is very effective and adds a real emotional weight to the scenes. What makes 12 Years so believable are the costumes, hair, make-up and locations of the movie. People forget that these are such important parts of the pre-production process. You are transported back to the 19th century with these characters and go through the servitude with them. Everything was as authentic as possible, with the costume department actually sprinkling dirt from the actual plantation Northup was kept on the bottom of the dresses worn by the actresses. This could do nothing but help feel the importance of telling a story with so much meaning and moral lessons.

12 Years a Slave shows us just how far our species has come but I think also it shows how far we still have to go. Yes in modern society a man will no longer be hanged until nearly dead while people go about their business but there are other cruelties that we see every day in news headlines that are a constant reminder that we are not there yet.

I would be a blind fool if i gave this anything less than a 9/10, this is such an important film to see, not just for cinematic enjoyment but to teach us about our past. An absolute must see, if you see nothing else this awards season see this, it will move you beyond words I assure you.