LFF: 12 Years A Slave Dir. Steve McQueen (2013)

“I don’t want to survive. I want to live” 

Steve McQueen, the British director behind Shame (2011) and Hunger (2008)  has created an overwhelmingly powerful film; 12 Years A Slave. Based on a true story, the film is set in 1840s America and tells the story of Solomon Northup (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) , a talented African-American violinist, living in Saratoga, New York.

The film opens with our protagonist suffering as a slave and then skips back in time to when he was a free man. Through various flash backs the audience is taken on his journey. We learn that Solomon is well respected among his community in Saratoga, cheerful, full of integrity and family values, Solomon is an instantly likable central character -  His kind face and emotive eyes are constant reminders of the injustice - His performance is flawless and the audience instantly warms to his courageous and appreciative demeanor. We know from American History that the Southern states of America were heavily pro-slavery whereas the more developed areas such as, New York, were overall much more liberal and against slavery. 

The plot is as follows; Solomon is offered a job by two seemingly friendly and successful artists. They explain the job as a 'circus' and tell Solomon his 'talents are undeniable'. After the two men wine, dine and drug him, we learn they've kidnapped him to sell him as a slave and transport him to Mississippi.

The film is packed with an exceptional cast - Paul Giamatti (Sideways, The Ides of March) makes a short but notable appearance as an auctioneer of slaves. He roams around the room in a sales-man manner whilst the slaves stand stark naked. Selling them with a killer line of “My sensitivity extends to the length of a coin”  & “He will grow into a fine beast” the atmosphere is instantly set. This is a very barbaric snap shot of American history.

Film still - Paul Giamatti

After Northcup courageously strikes back at to one of the slave owners, he is hung to a tree - There is a brutally long shot of Northcup balancing up just by the tip of his toes. As this occurs, the audience can see other slaves get along with their day; children can be seen in the background playing in the fields, various people are walking around without a blink of an eye to what is going on. The depiction of this situation being completely normal is utterly chilling.

Cotton plantation owner, Edwin Epps is played by Michael Fassbender - He is particularly harrowing, similar in some ways to Leonardo Dicaprio’s slave owner role in Django Unchained. Fassbender delivers a frightening disposition. A sadist in many ways - He gets kicks from waking up the slaves in the middle of the night, making them dance and entertain him. 

He fluctuates from appearing affectionate to a complete vicious torturer. He also happens to be completely sexually infatuated with his most hardworking cotton picking slave, Patsey (played by Lupita Nyong'o) with whom he regularly rapes and beats. “No sin – Man does what he pleases with his property” – One of the most chilling lines from the film.

Sarah Paulson plays his wife and gives a remarkable performance as the ice-cold Mistress Epps, driven by her intense jealously she is the regular instigator of Patsey's abuse - Her attempts to completely rid her from their lives almost drives her to suicide. In the most uncomfortable sequence she encourages Master Epps to ‘Whip the life out of her’ – This sequence is particularly difficult to endure.

Film Still - Michael Fassbender & Sarah Paulson

The cutaway shots of the Mississippi River are visually stunning and particularly important – McQueen has clearly done his research;  During the 1800s the River was a symbol of enslavement as well as freedom. Many slaves traveled to be sold via the river whereas others tried to escape.

Brad Pitt, Executive Producer on this feature makes a bizarre cameo as the 'good guy' – Liberal in views; he forms a bond with Solomon and helps him out. I found his performance irritating in many ways but his short air time was to be expected.

The film comes to a righteous close with Solomon in complete tears and constant apologies to his family – 12 Years A Slave is not only an exquisite feature, it’s a vital one exploring the genuine horror that coexisted in the US only two hundred years ago. This will certainly be a favourite at the awards season in early 2014 and it’s completely deserving of the hype that is to follow.