Autoportrait de Virginie, Paul et Virginie

12 Years A Slave

In the 2013 film “12 Years A Slave” by Steve McQueen, based on the 1853 memoir of the same name, we follow the life of a free black man, Solomon Northup, living in Saratoga, New York. Northup was kidnapped by two white men and was then sold into slavery in the state of Louisiana where he was put to work on plantations for 12 years before being released.

The film starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup and Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt and Lupita Nyong’o as supporting roles, received critical acclaim.

However, did this Oscar-winning film impress everyone? To find out, we will be asking 3 people who have just seen this movie to share their thoughts with us.

1. “12 Years A Slave” is a History movie supposed to portray real life events. What did you think of some of the violent scenes shown?

• This movie may not be the easiest one to watch more than once, but it sure is a movie that stays with you forever. The scenes are brutal but most importantly, honest. A film based on a memoir should stay true to what slavery was like and should remind us of the horrifying mistakes humans can make.
• I must say that I have to disagree. Although, it is a film about slavery and, I know nothing can be happy about it, I think it could have shown less violence and more authenticity. For example, in the boat scene, at the beginning of the film, a black slave dies on the trip. However, the movie takes place in the years where black men would not be treated badly on the trips, since the importation of slaves from Africa was banned and Americans wanted to sell as many slaves as they could, in good health conditions as well.

1. In the years before the Civil War, religion was essential: slave owners used religion for their own benefit, and so did the slaves. What did you think of the portrayal of religion in “12 Years A Slave”?

• Religion was, to me, a very important factor in the film. On the plantations, slaves portrayed in the film would often find peace in religion, expressed in singing. However, the slave owners, such as Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender) who is the oppressive owner, used religion in ways to control groups of people. I thought it was very important to include scenes in which slave owners read fragments of the Bible, in order to show that religion depends on who tries to manipulate it: good or evil.

1. In the ending, Solomon Northup is finally released and sent home to his family, thanks to Mr. Bass (Brad Pitt). What did you think of the emotional ending?

• The ending was very emotional and moving, however, one element I did not enjoy watching was Bass’ appearance. He is a white man that saves a black man and represents to me a too sudden solution to the problem. When watching the movie, I expected that Northup would escape slavery rather than be rescued. The way Brad Pitt’s character appeared seemed too false to me.
• I agree. I would also like to add that in the scene where Solomon is finally sent back to freedom, another slave screams after him, but he won’t look back. It was painful for me to watch him have to do that. I do think that the movie stays true to the memoir but I would be more interested in watching more about the black people that were born into slavery and that would also die in it, rather than just the story of an educated free man, caught in a temporary nightmare.

Thank you for sharing your opinions on “12 Years A Slave”, and thank you all for listening.

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