12 YEARS A SLAVE
(2013)
Directed by- Steve McQueen
Written by- John Ridley
*Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Sarah Paulson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Brad Pitt
12 Years A Slave is the third black history film from last year and is definitely the hardest hitting. Whereas films like 42 and The Butler fall short in their overall impact due to a heavy-handed and overtly sentimental take on slavery (or apartheid in their cases), this one works splendidly, constructing scene upon scene of superior drama and sucking us deeper into Solomon Northup's damned predicament.
It does not take a predisposed worldview of black history and makes us stare at the great evil that befell an entire race of humanity all at once, instead it picks one individual and follows his story through misfortune, misery and ultimately, escape. There are no transparent attempts to instill feels for the thousands of blacks who underwent hell here, just the story of one man who was wronged.
And in doing that it narrates a wonderful tale of courage, hardship and redemption, without prejudice and with an impersonal fairness.
It just states the facts and it is the facts which are so horribly terrifying that the effect they have is far greater than any propaganda piece could ever attain.
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McQueen's masterful direction takes us to the cotton plantations of 1840s' America, following freeman Northup who is kidnapped and illegally sold.
We see mothers separated from their children, men murdered for preventing rape and slaves whipped to the bone for insolence.
But it is Northup, or Platt, whose journey deeply absorbs us and holds our sympathy and anger, as he is bullied, beaten and betrayed repeatedly. The entire story almost unfolds in the fashion of a big adventure, while we continue to anticipate what will befall him next.
There is a bit of a disconnect in the first half, I'll say, but the story picks beautifully as we enter the nefarious plantation of Mr. Epps.
The exceptional performances by every single member of the cast make the experience all the more haunting.
The pain in Ejiofor's eyes, as he stares blankly into space longing for freedom, speaks beyond words. And his quivering reunion with his family just takes it to another level.
Whereas Fassbender's sleazy stares and red wrath unleashed upon the simple Patsy, create a supreme picture of undeniable hate and pure vileness.
The fiercely restrained performance by Nyong'o, along with everyone else seems deeply genuine and make this one of the best ensembles of 2013.
Hans Zimmer's background score accompanied by the western classical and folk music simply transports you to that era. Add to that Sean Bobbitt's lovely cinematography which impeccably picturises the manor houses and the sunny fields, and the whole plantation atmosphere comes to life.
A spine-chilling period drama with a stark perspective, which begins as an account of one man's suffering and evolves into a raging narrative of the injustice born by an entire race, that will leave you appalled and disgusted. And if you're American, probably ashamed.
Rating- 4.4/5
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