Director: Steve McQueen.
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sarah Paulson, Paul Dano and Brad Pitt.
Certificate: 15.
Running time: 133 minutes.
Extras: The Team, The Score, A Historical Portrait Documentary, (BD only) Discovering the book, Meet Solomon, Re-Creating an Era, Portraying Slavery, Legacy, Filmmaking Achievement, Interviews with Steve McQueen, John Ridley and other behind the scenes talent.
Being a huge admirer of Steve McQueen’s previous two films HUNGER and SHAME, I had hoped for more unique work with 12 YEARS A SLAVE and I was not disappointed by this exceptional film-maker, who delves into the darkest depths of horrific real-life slavery and still manages to find an unforgettable story that engrains itself decisively and deep into the psyche. McQueen has hauntingly recreated the shocking, true story of Solomon Northup (portrayed here by Chiwetel Ejiofor) during the twelve years he’s kidnapped in a pre-Civil War United States and sold into slavery.
Throughout 12 YEARS A SLAVE, Sean Bobbitt’s cinematography captivates alongside McQueen’s lingering long shots that sit in the moment to capture a true reflection and reveal the horror from the reality. This method enables you to step into the scene and develop your true opinion on the events occurring, much like a photograph. Whilst many movies focus on the literal dirt and depth of a situation, McQueen and Bobbitt embed the truth into every visual thus letting what you see speak for itself. One painfully unforgettable moment is when we watch Solomon hanging from a tree, his feet barely touching the ground. Hardly breathing, he gulps for air and water after he’s been hung there but the people around him carry on with the day-to-day activities they’ve been set. In this scene, the only person who can save him is Benedict Cumberbatch’s Ford, his ‘Master’ who eventually arrives to cut him down. It’s remarkable, uncomfortable and truly unique.
Chiwetel Ejiofor gives an astounding and heart-wrenching performance and is a depiction that this literal true-to-life character deserves. From a free man and right through his tribulations, his absolute connection to Solomon is nothing beyond what we would hope and expect. It’s surely a flawless representation of the struggle. The co-starring cast is also impressive, with striking performances from Lupita Nyong’o, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sarah Paulson, Paul Dano, and Brad Pitt – everyone deserves high praise and it’s all underpinned perfectly by Han Zimmer’s hauntingly beautiful score.
To give such a film a star rating seems somewhat arbitrary but it profoundly reminds you of the vile history of slavery in such an equally vividly beautiful and heart-breaking manner, it’s impossible not to recommend in every way. There’s nothing but the great praise, alongside the deepest sympathies to the truth of the past within one of the greatest films of recent times.
Solomon Northup went onto fight for the abolishment of slavery after his eventual release, and while this strength overrides everything, 12 YEARS A SLAVE reminds us of the brutal atrocities of man and undoubtedly (and rightly) makes you even more aware of your liberty today.
[usr=5] 12 YEARS A SLAVE is out on Blu-ray & DVD 12thMay 2014, courtesy of Entertainment One. You can pre-order now via this link and also check out our interview with the legendary Hans Zimmer here.
