“Slaves are generally expected to sing as well as to work.” ― Frederick Douglass. The trappings of the landed gentry in the 19th century and their palatial houses, liveried staff and well-manicured lawns perfectly off-set the apathy and grim reality of 19th century American slavery in a film that delivers a blow to your senses.
ASHOK’s FIVE reviews #12yearsASlave, written by #JohnRidley and directed by #SteveMcQueen. This is the story of Solomon Northup, an African-American family man who is kidnapped off the streets of Washington in 1841 and sold from master to master as a slave. The film documents the story of his travails till he is rescued in 1853. #ChiwetelEjifor is brilliant in his portrayal as the slave who plays the violin adeptly and needs to behave in a subservient manner just to survive.
Your first instinct is to compare this with #DjangoUnchained and you quickly realise that it has nothing of the style and trappings. #12YearsASlave movies quickly and fluidly through the events in Northup’s life, almost like a documentary. What is does do is to provide a detailed description of every-day life in a manner that leaves you shocked and revolted.
Northup is forced to pretend that he is illiterate and accepts the name “Platt” as he is sold to his first plantation owner Ford (#BendictCumberbatch). His encounter with the sadistic farmhead Tibeats (#PaulDano) leads to his sale to Epps (#MichaelFasebender). Exploitation of women and nudity form recurrent themes in McQueen’s work as the torture of the body and triumph of the spirit deliver a sucker punch to your senses.
The role of music by #HansZimmer is heighten this angst and the refrain of “Run Nigger Run” stays wit you long after you finish the film.
The poignancy of #12YearsASlave is the realism with which the horrors of slavery is portrayed. As you endure the horrific scenes of torture and violence, you are equally shocked and fascinated by the cruelty of mankind!
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