Regardless of your race, these films are unlikely to teach you anything you don't already know. was incredibly excellent. Some time later, Patsey is caught by Epps going to a neighboring plantation in order to acquire soap, as Mrs. Epps will not let her have any. When Northup returns to Epps, he uses the money to pay a white field hand and former overseer, Armsby, to mail a letter to his friends in New York. [86], Manohla Dargis wrote, in her review for The New York Times, "the genius of 12 Years a Slave is its insistence on banal evil, and on terror, that seeped into souls, bound bodies and reaped an enduring, terrible price". The film also was a period piece that featured a happy ending ushered in by a 'white savior' in the form of Brad Pitt's character. Northup, a black man who was born free in New York state, details his being tricked to go to Washington, D.C., where he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the Deep South. One of the sailors attempts to rape a female slave, but is stopped by a male slave. [48], The musical score to 12 Years a Slave was composed by Hans Zimmer, with original on-screen violin music written and arranged by Nicholas Britell and performed by Tim Fain. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. "[39] Filming also took place at the Columns Hotel and Madame John's Legacy in the French Quarter of New Orleans for the scenes set in Washington D.C.[40], Cinematographer Sean Bobbitt, the film's primary camera operator,[41] shot 12 Years a Slave on 35 mm film with a 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio using both an Arricam LT and ST. "Particularly for a period piece, film gives the audience a definite sense of period and quality," said Bobbitt. And then I also worked with Lupita Nyong'o, who is Kenyan but she did her training at Yale. I think we have become accustomed to having a certain level of amnesia about slavery; well it was a long time ago and it couldn't have been that bad, could it? 12 Years a Slave is a 2013 biographical period-drama film and an adaptation of the 1853 slave memoir Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup, a New York State-born free African-American man who was kidnapped in Washington, D.C., by two conmen in 1841 and sold into slavery. [5][6] The film was awarded the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama, and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts recognized it with the Best Film and the Best Actor award for Ejiofor. Summary and Analysis Chapter 1 Summary. "[12] According to Olney, when abolitionists invited an ex-slave to share his experience in slavery at an antislavery convention, and when they subsequently funded the appearance of that story in print, "they had certain clear expectations, well understood by themselves and well understood by the ex-slave, too. 12 Years a Slave fueled the fires of abolitionism in 1853 and today provides valuable insight into the harrowing lives that slaves lived. [46] Using an earth tone color palette, Norris created nearly 1,000 costumes for the film. Seeing this movie brings to light the different experiences of slavery. In retaliation, Epps orders Northup to whip Patsey, but he refuses to it. He gives them to his children. Social systems crumble. Through faith, will power, and courage Northup must survive and … Your time is important. Debut at NYFF51", "NOFF Announces Opening Closing Night Films", "22nd Philadelphia Film Festival Announces Film Additions and Scheduling Changes", "Paramount, Brad Pitt Company Feuding Over '12 Years a Slave' (Exclusive)", "Steve McQueen's 'Twelve Years a Slave' to be Released by Fox Searchlight This December", "Unflinching '12 Years a Slave' poses monumental marketing challenge", "New Regency Moves '12 Years A Slave' Up to an October 18 Platform Bow", "12 Years a Slave Could Win Best Picture, but About the Box Office ...", "In first wider weekend, '12 Years a Slave' reaches key audiences", "Can '12 Years a Slave' Translate Oscar Buzz into Box Office? “12 Years a Slave” isn’t a religious jeremiad, however, and McQueen is careful to present the redemptive side of religion as well. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in this period of American History. I don't think it's something the movie is denying in the way it intentionally denies so many other conventions; it's still structured around an ending that's supposed to function as a release, but because it can't organize that sense of catharsis it so badly needs, it just feels as though McQueen is scurrying for an exit. In it, he takes the reader on an unforgettable journey from the slave markets in Washington, D.C., and New Orleans to the major cotton and sugar plantations in Louisiana. Show this to anyone who thinks slavery wasn't so bad. Bottom line shows you how ownership of any human being is wrong, and it permits their progression ie is the epitome of oppression and degradation. The barbaric way that some of those involved in the slave trade treated their fellow human beings almost defies belief. To save Northup's life, Ford sells him to another slave owner named Edwin Epps. I have read some of the diaries of the slaves caught up in this horror and the heinous brutality that they suffered at the hands of their so-called masters was monstrous. It leaves you with that reminder we need to always be that one who will do the right thing, to fight injustices and always have compassion. "[47] The filmmakers also used some pieces of clothing discovered on set that were worn by slaves. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 26, 2014. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Of course, obviously, I "knew" slavery was horrible. Based on the autobiographical narrative (1853) of Solomon Northup, the film chronicles the grueling experiences of slavery … An excellent movie. African-American history and culture scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. was a consultant on the film, and researcher David Fiske, co-author of Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Author of Twelve Years a Slave, provided some material used to market the film. Northup then tells of his family history. ... You have to see this so you can understand, so you can just start to understand. Neither thanked the other during their respective acceptance speeches at the event. Solomon Northrop was a free African American living in upstate New York when he was kidnapped against his will into slavery. Northup is narrowly able to convince Epps that Armsby is lying and Epps relents. It’s all on Hulu. Although less abrupt than Kafka's novel, the movie wastes little time before plunging its viewer into a nightmare of dehumanization. This film clearly gives a flavour for the pure evil that slavery was and is. "[84], Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly praised it as "a new movie landmark of cruelty and transcendence" and as "a movie about a life that gets taken away, and that's why it lets us touch what life is". As a white grandma in my 70s, I don't think I had any idea, despite much history learning, what slavery was really like in reality. 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