![]() ![]() Django Unchained cleverly dealt with the various racial dynamics that emerged as a consequence of slavery and it was a fascinating examination of the different archetypes/stereotypes of the black man. The harsh truth is that Django Unchained had more to say about slavery than 12 Years A Slave did. ![]() Essentially, it is the actors’ performances that make this film what it is and while Steve McQueen does play a huge part in bringing that to light, it is a shame that he did not try to do more with the source material. ![]() Unlike Schindler’s List, there are no directorial techniques, stylistic cues or impressive narrative devices that make this film stand out. This is the crucial component that stops it from becoming ‘the Schindler’s List of this decade’. It brings nothing new to the discourse about racism and slavery. Sadly though, it seems that 12 Years A Slave’s greatest strength is also its greatest weakness.īy not having an agenda, 12 Years A Slave also has nothing to say. However, with that being said, there are some gorgeous steady-cam shots that Steve McQueen employs from time to time (particularly of the plantation fields that the slaves work on) and Sean Bobbitt’s cinematography is both lush and melancholic. There is no glamour to his uncompromising approach and even the intrinsic gloss of a Hollywood film seems to have been lost in his translation of this harrowing source material. Steve McQueen, on the other hand, adopts a very naturalistic tone in his direction of 12 Years A Slave. In my honest opinion, nobody else on the nomination list remotely comes close to the work that she did in this film. If it were up to me, she would easily win this year’s Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She brings a childlike innocence to her character, which masks a deep despair that nothing on earth can relinquish. Through Patsey, Lupita powerfully conveys the plight of a slave. In this role, Michael Fassbender proves once again why he is currently one of the best actors around and he truly should be applauded for portraying this vile character with such charisma and finesse.Īnother standout performance that is worth mentioning is Lupita Nyong’o as Patsey. He is a man filled with such unbridled rage and emotional turmoil that you are afraid to look him in the eye because you do not want your soul to go to hell with him. Edwin Epps is a man possessed, the epitome of pure evil. In comes Michael Fassbender as the demonic slaveowner Edwin Epps. However, when you see what he is coming up against you soon realise why he had no other choice. The ‘humbling’ of Solomon Northup has to be one of the most depressing things that I have seen in a very long time. Even worse than that, we tragically witness a man force himself to adopt a slave mentality. Through his performance we slowly see the crushing of a man’s soul. Everything exceptional about this movie stems from his portrayal of Solomon Northup. The film is anchored by Chiwetel Ejiofor’s magnificent performance. Instead, they are merely re-enactments of events that real life slaves went through. While there are the appropriately gruesome whipping and lynching scenes, they do not feel shoehorned in to manipulate the audience’s feelings. 12 Years A Slave is neither overly sentimental nor is it excessively grim (contrary to public belief). Lincoln) by simply showing slavery as it was: brutal, oppressive and utterly terrifying. It bucks the trends of several Oscar bait films (e.g. ![]() The best thing about 12 Years A Slave is that it does not come with an agenda. 12 Years A Slave is a film that rightfully brings the topic of slavery back into focus and is one of the most honest portrayals of said topic to date. During his traumatic time in captivity, Solomon learns the difference between living and surviving and has to decide which path he wants to follow. 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. ![]()
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