Review of 12 Years a Slave (2013) by Matt M — 21 Jan 2015

Monday, October 20, 2014.

(2013) 12 Years A Slave.

HISTORICAL DRAMA.

Although there were many films made about the how African Americans used to be treated when slavery was condoned, I don't ever recall seeing a film that was ever based on a real life person before, since movies like "Roots", "Sounder" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin" as well as other films about 'slavery' were classified as novels with some of it based on fact and fiction. "12 Years A Slave" is probably one of the most accurate portrayals of slavery ever put on film solely because it's from the experiences by an actual person. While we all know that slavery actually happened, and that we've always read about it, we had barely saw it happen to an actual person before, for much of it's history is only classified as allegedly circumstantial. Which is the reason why it's the damning crux when it's possible historical events can be altered so that people who inflict these types of crimes can never be charged or held accountable for their actions- American law has always been unjust since it often doesn't favor toward minorities. Adapted by a book "Twelve Years A Slave" written by Solomon Northup, directed by Steve McQueen who was synonymous for directing, "Hunger", it'd make sense that he'd be the one to be directing this film- he knows what pain feels like from the receiving end.

At the opening, and at this point, Solomon Northup, played memorable by Chiwetel Ejiofor has already been captured and sold as a slave, but as he's already in chains lying down in a cargo ship, he's already revaluating how it all came about since he was initially supposed to be a professional violinist in Washington. And for some reason we're seeing him in chains treated less than human as all the others who're not white. Solomon is not like other African American slaves because he has already received the education he needed as opposed to his counterparts. For if anybody didn't know by now, it was 'once' forbidden for African Americans to receive the same opportunities as their white counterparts. Which is why how some can see the irony whenever we see many African American children 'not' exploiting the education system, and instead chose a life of crime instead. It is the character portrayed in this film as well as many others, many are not being recognized for the sacrifice they had to endure to get to this point- the right to vote as well as an education. As soon as Solomon realizes that it's against the law for African Americans to be "learning" he makes some attempts to free himself by doing just that. It's quite an unbelievable journey as he's moved from one plantation to the next. Solomon does get his revenge by writing about this which if the opportunity was available, other people would have done the exact same thing, as a viewer I'm grateful that he did just that. Winner of 3 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Actress for a Supporting Role for Lupita Nyong'o out of 9 nominations.

3 out of 4 stars.