In 1841, african american solomon northup, a free man, is kidnapped and forced into slavery under the name platt for 12 years. Then one day he was drugged, kidnapped, and sold into slavery in the deep. In the precivil war united states, solomon northup, a free black man from upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery. He was in bondage for 12 years in louisiana before he was able to secretly get information to. Aug 31, 20 composition, sound design and story all cut together beautifully, and yet, theres no question that 12 years a slave remains an art film, especially as the provocative director forces. In researching the 12 years a slave true story, we discovered that solomon northup married anne hampton on christmas day, 1828. But a canadian abolitionist who plays a small but crucial role in northups story argues that slavery is contrary to. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup the 2014 oscar winning film for best picture, 12 years a slave, is based upon the truelife story of solomon northup. Despite being excited to see it during its original theatrical run by the time 12 years a slave was winning gold statues left, right and centre i had begun to question whether this true life story of a freeman kidnapped into slavery wasnt just another awardsbaiting movie masquerading as a worthy prestige picture.
Jun 04, 2016 this piece was originally published in december 20, before the release of the film 12 years a slave. In 1841, northup, a free black man, was drugged and then sold into slavery. Unlike the movie, they had three children together, not two. Steve mcqueens film 12 years a slave slices through the trivialisation that has been integral to slaverys popular representation. But a canadian abolitionist who plays a small but crucial role in northups story argues that slavery is contrary to gods law, since in gods eyes all men are of equal worth. Concerning the historical accuracy of 12 years a slave. John ridley screenplay by, solomon northup based on twelve years a slave by. In my previous post, someone elses history, i raised the question about how i would explain the legacy of blackamerican slavery to the my son. This unforgettable memoir was the basis for the academy awardwinning film 12 years a slave. In 1999, a historical marker was installed in saratoga springs to commemorate northups life. Oct 24, 20 12 years a slave was a film that no one was making director steve mcqueen tells fresh airs terry gross that he wanted to help fill a huge hole in the canon of cinema. He had a wife, a son, and a daughter he left behind and later on reconciled with after a canadian who opposed slavery played by no less than brad pitt he worked with, helped him by contacting his family and friends.
Though northup was literate, his autobiography was written by david wilson, a white lawyer and state legislator from glens falls, new york. Theres no doubt that oscar nominations and possibly some wins lie ahead for director steven mcqueens acclaimed drama, 12 years a slave. This powerful film based on a true story won three oscars. Twelve years a slave is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. There is an important sense in which this is the best film that could be made about black slavery in america. During his traumatic time in captivity, solomon learns the difference between living and surviving and has.
He tells the reader that the pages to come will detail his life as a free man of the north, his subsequent kidnapping, his twelve miserable years in slavery, and his eventual rescue. Chiwetel ejiofor portrays solomon northup and brad pitt is a canadian carpenter who befriends northup. His memoir, twelve years a slave, was published in 1853 and details the deception that got him kidnapped and sold into slavery, as well as the years he spent on southern plantations. Best picture, adapted screenplay and supporting actress. The moving and utterly brutalfilm 12 years a slave tells the real story of soloman northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free africanamerican man living in saratoga who is kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery. In january 20, seligman teams up with authors clifford brown and david fiske to publish solomon northup. In fact, 12 years a slave is a film that doesnt have may moments that feel disingenuous or trumped up for dramatic license. The narrative opens with a promise from narrator and protagonist, solomon northup, that the following story will not be uninteresting to the public. Based on a true story, 12 years a slave depicts the journey of a free black man in the 1840s that is kidnapped and sold into southern slavery. Northup, a black man who was born free in new york state, details his being tricked to go to washington, d. The film 12 years a slave tells the reallife story of solomon northup. The story takes place in 1840s america, and revolves around solomon northrup, a free black man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery.
The only thing that lets this film down is the rather odd beginning and the at times lessthanclear dialogue. Twelve years a slave has twice been adapted for film. Twelve years a slave was a originally a memoir written by northup himself that chronicled his life during slavery. About two weeks later, i had the opportunity to see 12 years a slave pleasure would not exactly be the right word, the film. Steve mcqueen, the director of 12 years a slave, narrates a sequence from his film. In the precivil war united states, solomon northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free black man from upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery. Dec 23, 20 the film 12 years a slave tells the reallife story of solomon northup. Oct 18, 20 steve mcqueen, the director of 12 years a slave, narrates a sequence from his film. In 1984, pbs produced a television movie called solomon northups odyssey, and in 20, an oscarwinning film titled 12 years a slave was released. I thought chiwetel ejiofor as solomon northup acted with incredible intensity, as did michael fassbender, who played northups violent and sadistic master, edwin epps. He worked on plantations in the state of louisiana, where he remained for 12 years until he was released.
For me 12 years a slave was a very powerful movie which brought me to tears and thoughts. Sep 23, 20 in fact, 12 years a slave is a film that doesnt have may moments that feel disingenuous or trumped up for dramatic license. Facing cruelty personified by a malevolent slave owner, as well as unexpected kindnesses, solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. While both of those boxoffice and critical successes offered compensation for their heavy subject matter with outbreaks of humor and a hip attitude, 12 years a slave is a somber, meditative, almost poetic film that delivers the horrors of bondage stripped down and headon. Aside from the captivating story and tremendous acting, the historical accuracy of slavery during this time is gut retching.
Composition, sound design and story all cut together beautifully, and yet, theres no question that 12 years a slave remains an art film, especially as the provocative director forces. In retelling the harrowing true story of solomon northup. This is the true story of solomon northup, who was born and raised as a freeman in new york. It led me to deep reflections about legalized slavery and all that it portended for our african brothers and sisters who were captured and carried across the ocean to america in that era when the law made it possible for them to become the property of any white person who had the wherewithal. Oct 28, 20 12 years a slave is just such an oral account.
Facing cruelty personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by michael fassbender, as well as unexpected kindnesses, solomon struggles not. Twelve years a slave is based on an incredible true story of one mans fight for survival and freedom. The film is based on the memoir written by solomon northup, which reveals what happened after solomon played by chiwetel ejiofor a free black man living in new york in precivil war america was kidnapped and sold into slavery, before he was able to. The moving and utterly brutalfilm 12 years a slave tells the real story of soloman northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free africanamerican man living in saratoga who is kidnapped in 1841 and sold. Based on an incredible true story of one mans fight for survival and freedom. Hayley atwell hayley atwell dismisses 12 years a slave. Oct 17, 20 steve mcqueens devastating new movie, 12 years a slave, begins with the words based on a true story and ends with a description of what happened to solomon northup and his assailants. Meets unscrupulous characters, is betrayed and kidnapped. Posts about 12 years a slave written by tomcelliott.
Its strange how awards can change your expectations for a film. Clayton adamss family heirloom a leatherbound first edition of a book entitled twelve. He tells the reader that the pages to come will detail his life as a free man of the north, his subsequent kidnapping. Steve mcqueens 12 years a slave, based on the true story of. Yet in 12 years a slave, northrups triumph over slavery is set against the permanent context of an oppressed community in which we see him operate. A man sits languidly atop a wagon of the raw cane root.
Dec 04, 2015 12 years a slave is a 20 period drama film and an adaptation of the 1853 slave narrative memoir twelve years a slave by solomon northup, a new york stateborn free africanamerican man who was. Twelve years a slave describes how solomon northup, born in upstate new york and married with three children at the time of his capture, ended up working in the cotton fields of louisiana. The film refuses to imply that his individual emancipation is a victory for all africanamericans, especially when it is barely a victory for northrup himself. To hear some tell it, perhaps hyperbolically but with real conviction, 12 years a slave may be the definitive cinematic treatment of american slavery.
The subject matter made 12 years a slave a very uncomfortable film to watch, although some of the actors gave astonishing performances. Rarely, its true, have the cruelties of the antebellum south been so thoroughly catalogued. British actress hayley atwell has caused a storm by dismissing critically acclaimed movie 12 years a slave as torture porn. Clayton adamss family heirloom a leatherbound first edition of a. He faces the hardships of being a slave under the hands of a few different slave owners. Steve mcqueens devastating new movie, 12 years a slave, begins with the words based on a true story and ends with a description of what happened to solomon northup and his assailants. Like other depictions, the film attests the slaves oppressors using religion to validate the status quo. Oct 18, 20 the moving and utterly brutalfilm 12 years a slave tells the real story of soloman northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free africanamerican man living in saratoga who is kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery. Their daughter margaret and son alonzo are portrayed in the movie, while their other child, elizabeth, was omitted.
The complete story of the author of twelve years a slave. The theme of religion in 12 years is appropriately mixed. In the antebellum united states, solomon northup, a free black man from upstate new york, is abducted and sold into slavery. The protagonist of schindlers list was a german with a conscience. Movies based on real life, period pieces, movies based on books, dramas, tearjerkers, social issue dramas. The story structure database is an archive of books and movies, recording all their major plot points. Steve mcqueen, the british video artist who made hunger and shame, spares his audience little.
Director steve mcqueen and screenwriter john ridley film were largely faithful northups 1853 biography, twelve years a slave. Oct 21, 20 the story of 12 years a slave is fundamentally one of pain and terror, and mcqueenbravely, unshrinkingly, and with no apparent pleasurecompels himself to represent it. They feel organic to the story and while we may be able to recognize. He lived the american dream, with a house and a loving family a wife and two kids. With chiwetel ejiofor, michael kenneth williams, michael fassbender, brad pitt. The movie opens with a group of slaves receiving instruction on cutting sugar cane. During his traumatic time in captivity, solomon learns the difference between living and surviving and has to decide which path he wants to follow. Jan 26, 2014 12 years a slave is a powerful film that is based on the true and horrific story of solomon northup chiwetel ejiofor, a free man sold into slavery. Through faith, will power, and courage northup must survive and endure those 12 years as a slave. This piece was originally published in december 20, before the release of the film 12 years a slave. Apart from that, it is a very good film, but be prepared to be shocked by some of the violence.