Drawn from the 1853 autobiography of solomon northup a musician living as a free black man in upstate new york with his wife and two children in 1841. While not exactly ostentatious, mcqueen does tend to operate in a somewhat. At the beginning of 12 years a slave, the kidnapped freeman solomon. In the years before the civil war, solomon northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free black man from upstate new york, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in. Director steve mcqueen and actor chiwetel ejiofor on 12 years a slave solomon northup was born a free man and lived the life of a respected musician until 1841, when he was kidnapped. Steve mcqueen the british academy film awards 2014 bbc. Twelve years a slave was written by solomon northup, adamss. John ridley screenplay by, solomon northup based on twelve years a slave by actors.
Facing cruelty personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by michael fassbender, as well as unexpected kindnesses. Beyond the trailer host grace randolph has picked director steve mcqueen for her talent. Twelve years a s lave is set to hit theaters in 20, and maybe finally make steve mcqueen a household name. After a spate of short films, in 2008 british director steve mcqueen turned to feature cinema with a vengeance. Steve mcqueens 12 years a slave, based on the true story of solomon. Although less abrupt than kafkas novel, the movie wastes little time before plunging its viewer into a nightmare of dehumanization. In the precivil war united states, solomon northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free black man from upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery.
Twelve years a slave is based on an incredible true story of one mans fight for survival and freedom. His films hunger, shame and 12 years a slave collected massive critical and audience acclaim, culminating in three 20 academy award wins for his last film including one for best picture. Chiwetel ejiofor as solomon northup in 12 years a slave. Steve mcqueens 12 years a slave, anchored by brilliant chiwetel ejiofor, is a slavery movie for the ages eric kohn aug 31, 20 3. Two days after seeing 12 years a slave, british director steve mcqueens adaptation of. Steve mcqueens 12 years a slave is the greatest movie about slavery ever made. There are great movies, and there are important movies. The films ensemble cast is solid, showcasing careermaking performances from chiwetel ejiofor and lupita nyongo sarah paulson also stands out, playing against type in an uncharacteristically antagonistic role. In steve mcqueens film, saratoga springs is a dusty outpost a.
British filmmaker steve mcqueen says his oscartipped slavery drama 12 years a slave has become a torch for americans concerned about race relations interviewed by the bbc at the new york. Williams, and phil svitek discuss the 20 steve mcqueen film 12 years a slave in which in the antebellum united states, solomon northup. With his first two films, hunger and shame, british director steve mcqueen showed a masterful command of style and an ambition to tackle important topics. His third movie, 12 years a slave, takes on the institution of american slavery, a subject that comes so loaded with potential blowback that few artists ever attempt to deal with it headon.
Steve mcqueen, the british video artist who made hunger and shame, spares his audience little. Early on in steve mcqueens powerful, vexing inhabitation of americas pact with slavery, 12 years a slave, the freeborn northern musician and carpenter solomon northup. Mcqueen has even talked of complete strangers holding hands during screenings. Both movies starred michael fassbender as deeply troubled souls. In this show, marisa serafini and cohosts demetri panos, chevonne hughes, eboni williams, and phil svitek discuss the 20 steve mcqueen film 12 years a slave in which in the antebellum united. A discussion of steve mcqueens film 12 years a slave. The latest entry in this unlikely genre is 12 years a s lave, the director steve mcqueen s adaptation of solomon northups 1853 memoir. The film was directed by steve mcqueen, and the screenplay was written by john ridley. From acclaimed director steve mcqueen comes this moving film based on a true story thats filled with powerful performances. In 1841, solomon northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free citizen, is kidnapped and sold as a slave to a ruthless plantation owner michael fassbender. This gripping film features an allstar cast, including benedict cumberbatch, brad pitt, paul dano and.
Mcqueen is unafraid to regard indignity with honesty, which is why his latest film is both historic and ferociously modern. Steve mcqueens muchhyped slavery drama is a brutal, excoriating and vital companion to quentin tarantino. In this episode we take a closer look at how steve mcqueen uses violence in his best picture winning masterpiece 12 years a slave. Steve mcqueen today explained in more detail both the intentions and genesis of his film 12 years a slave, which has premiered to huge applause and a smattering of appalled walkouts at the. In the precivil war united states, solomon northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free black man from. Two songs are sung in full by actors, and theyre at the heart of mcqueens music story. The complete story of the author of twelve years a slave, provided some material used to market the film. Acclaimed director steve mcqueen shame, hunger helms an exceptional cast including chiwetel ejiofor, lupita nyongo, michael fassbender, benedict cumberbatch, paul dano, brad pitt, paul giamatti and sarah paulson. The british filmmaker steve mcqueen has said a lot of people did not want his awardwinning movie 12 years a slave to be made mcqueen, who has said previously that becoming the first black. His criticallyacclaimed directorial debut, hunger, won the camera dor at the 2008 cannes film festival. Nyongo in 12 years a slave 20 sean bobbitt and steve mcqueen in 12 years a slave 20. In the antebellum united states, solomon northup, a free black man from upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery. Best performance by an actress in a supporting role. Rarely, its true, have the cruelties of the antebellum south been so thoroughly catalogued.
Mcqueens latest and best film, 12 years a slave, is likewise possessed of a conspicuous formalism, and, although he may not approve of the assessment, it confirms his status as one of british cinemas most accomplished visual stylists a distinction that is not without its detractors. Director steve mcqueen semisubmerged a narrative that roots out the. Steve mcqueen has hit his third home run in a row with this gritty, haunting story of american cruelty. He followed that up with the incendiary offering shame, a wellreceived, thoughtprovoking drama about addiction and. Artist and filmmaker steven rodney mcqueen iii was born in london on october 9, 1969. It is not the saccharinesweet pat on the back like spielbergs lincoln or anything warmfuzzy like roots. The latest entry in this unlikely genre is 12 years a slave, the director steve mcqueens adaptation of solomon northups 1853 memoir. In precivil war united states, a free man is abducted and sold into slavery. Steve mcqueen, the director of 12 years a slave, narrates a sequence from his film. Chiwetel ejiofor stars as solomon northup, the new york state citizen who was kidnapped and made to work on a plantation in new orleans in the 1800s. Director steve mcqueen hunger, shame evokes searing drama from this factbased story of a man tricked into slavery 20 years before the civil war. With chiwetel ejiofor, michael kenneth williams, michael fassbender, brad pitt. Steve mcqueen 12 years a slave full interview youtube.
To hear some tell it, perhaps hyperbolically but with real conviction, 12 years a slave may be the definitive cinematic treatment of american slavery. Director steve mcqueens powerful film based on the true story of a man. Chiwetel ejiofor dwight henry dickie gravois bryan batt awards. There are movies to which the critical response lags far behind the emotional one. Steve mcqueens film fudges several details of solomon northups.