12 Years a Slave

British director Steve McQueen delivers another masterpiece with his third feature which is another case study based on a true story. The story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from the North who's tricked and sold as a slave in the South where he endures twelve years of unimaginable horrors as a slave. McQueen takes his unflinching approach to show the savagery of slavery which is shocking and unforgettable at the same time. It's his most accomplished and accessible film which shows an ugly side of American history that no American director have managed to show. It's a heartbreaking and shattering experience and puts a perspective to a past that has haunted the country ever since.
Chiwetel Ejiofor stars and delivers a towering performance which he has shown again and again in a distinguished career. Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong'o stand out with riveting performances amongst a stellar cast that includes Sarah Paulson, Paul Dano, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, Adepero Oduye, Alfre Woodard and Brad Pitt amongst many others. The film marks also the third collaboration between McQueen, Fassbender, cinematographer Sean Bobbitt and editor Joe Walker. 1001 Films' coverage of current releases.