One of the most powerful movies in recent years, the historical drama “12 Years a Slave” was finally released in the UAE and can now be seen across Dubai cinemas. Based on a true story, the film is widely described as the best production ever made about American slavery and it is probably true, considering the many prizes and nominations it took, including 9 Oscar nominations.
Steve McQueen’s film about a man called Solomon, who is abducted and sold into slavery in the pre-Civil War United States, was one of the most anticipated releases in the UAE. It was featured in the 10th Dubai International Film Festival and screened to selected crowds in December, but now, it is available to anyone interested in cinema, history, politics, art, economics, literature or drama in the UAE. Owner of Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture, “12 Years a Slave” will probably bring an Oscar to its greatest star, Chiwetel Ejiofor (Solomon Northup) and may even make British director Steve McQueen the first black film –maker to win an Oscar for best director. So, why is this film so appealing to both critics and the public?
The production is based on a 19-century memoire of Solomon Northup who is an educated musician and carpenter from New York State. In 1841, the free family man Solomon is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the south to become a property of the plantation owner Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch), a kind and sympathetic slaver. However, after a while, Solomon, or Platt as he is renamed, is sold to the cruel, sadistic alcoholic Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender). In the twelfth year of his slavery, he meets Canadian abolitionist Bass (Brad Pitt), a meeting that changes his life forever. The film is so full of brutal, horror scenes of violence, beatings and rapes that it is almost unbearable to watch, but it feels more like a history lesson than a true horror story. In fact, the production can be described as a high-profile masterpiece, which is certainly one of the most raw, intense and shocking films we’ve seen.
Acting is one of the most remarkable features of “12 Years a Slave”, starting of course with Chiwetel Ejiofor who portrays the complicated character of Solomon. His wordless expression is his most powerful weapon, capable of telling everything with a clench of his teeth. Newcomer Lupita Nyong’o, who plays the young slave Patsy, makes a bold, memorable debut, which brought her several prizes and nominations, including a Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for best supporting actress. Overall, the movie shines with superb performances, fantastic production value, and truly important message. Although it’s rated R16 for graphic and sexual violence, nudity and cruelty, it’s essential for modern culture for its unique and “real” perspective of history, slavery and racism.
