12 YEARS A SLAVE (2014)

Genre: Drama
Running Length: 2:13
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbander, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Adepero Oduye, Brad Pitt
Director: Steve McQueen

12 YEARS A SLAVE is a tough film to watch but a necessary one. This movie does not leave any room for imagination; some scenes of brutality are so unbearable I had to close my eyes. But what is most unsettling for me is the reminder of us humans - that we are capable of inflicting horrific acts on another human being in the name of righteousness and societal pressure (the public humiliation and crucifixion of Jesus, Nazi Germany, Rwanda etc). This true story is actually very straight forward - the main character (played by  Chiwetel Ejiofor in an Oscar worthy performance but personally, not as moving as Tom Hanks in Captain Phillips) who is a free and well-respected family man living in New York circa 1840s, but was abducted and sold as a slave to the south. During his 12 years of slavery, the audience is transported back in time on a journey where we are exposed to the inhumane conditions in which slaves lived and worked under their "masters". It's not all dark and dirty but the contrary as the ugliness of what was happening is told against the setting of the beautiful southern scenery - which makes it realistic (and not manipulative). The main cast is solid especially Michael Fassbander and Lupita Nyong'o. The only complains I have are these minor distractions - the "spot the stars" cameo and Hans Zimmer's score which is closely reminiscent of his work on Inception. Nevertheless, slavery was a very real and sad part in the history of America and 12 Years A Slave is the definitive movie on this subject matter.

Rating: 7.5/10