UNIVERSITY OF BALAMAND

FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION


Movie review:
12 Years A Slave



Instructor's Name:
Dr. Dima Issa

Submitted by:
Chalhoub Jad

12 years a slave is certainly a movie that goes deeply beyond the
story, the script and the actors, as it digs hard into one of the most
sinister chapters in the history of mankind, reciting the obscure tales of a
once wicked and criminal humanity. What if your skin color decided who
you are, what you do, and what you will be. What would you do to
reclaim your lost freedom and how much would you go on hanging on a
string of hope, while youre raped, tortured and sold?!
12 years a slave takes you in a journey of struggle, courage, trust and
liberty as it pushes the human boundaries and feelings to their limits. It's
a film that sets the standards high for movie production as it blasts as an
outstanding work of art, embracing a beautiful message of freedom and
faith.

The movie is based on an incredible true story of one man's fight for
survival and freedom. A 2 hours dramatic biography featuring one of
America's saddest and darkest chapters of history: Slavery.
Directed by Steve McQueen and based on a biography by Solomon
Northup and a screen play by John Ridley, the movie features a wide
cast of exceptional actors and performers including Chiwetel Ejiofor
(playing the main character Solomon Northrup), Michael Williams,
Michael Fassbender and the amazing newcomer Lupita Nyongo. The
film was nominated for more than 200 international awards including 9
Oscars and was awarded by the Academy for best motion picture of the
year (2013), best supportive actress (Lupita Nyong'o) and best adapted
screenplay. No wonder it pleased a lot of critics and got high ratings on
both IMDB (8.2/10) and Rotten tomatoes (97%), two of the most famous
movies' review sites.
As for the distinct story, the movie revolves about the dark American era
of slavery and human trading and portrays the struggles of a free black
man as he's abducted and sold to servitude.

Fooled into journeying down to Washington, D.C. to play the violin for a
circus show, Solomon Northrup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free-born man in
upstate New York, is drugged, shipped and sold into slavery.
What follows is a journey of twelve years, tracing Solomons (Platt is his
slave name) travels from plantation to plantation, owner to owner.
Consistently cracked down, both physically and emotionally, Solomons
pursuit to hold on to his humanity and his efforts to return to his family
is a very touching one, even as its also intensely hurtful.
Co-starring as evil farm owner Edwin Epps, Michael Fassbender handily
explores new levels of wicked creepiness. Serving as the human
personification of both thrilling evil and the establishment that keeps
Solomon enslaved, Fassbender does exceptional work throughout the
movie, and succeeds in transmitting that repugnant criminal attitude to
the audience.
The real breakout of 12 Years a Slave, however is newcomer Lupita
Nyongo, who astonishes as Patsey, a fellow slave on Epps farm who is a
favorite of her evil owner. A gradually intensifying performance, it is
Patsey who will break your heart over and over again. No wonder the
Academy awarded her with an Oscar for her distinguishable
performance!

Every scene in 12 Years a Slave is a chef-d'oeuvre, and there's a
particular one that has turned out to be the keystone of many viewers
experiences with and critics understanding of the film. This scene has
affected many and left them speechless and was considered as one of
the most artistic imageries that have taken place in the history of film
making. The scene talks places when Northup argues with one of the
land's masters and the latter tries to kill him. However, the plantations
supervisor arrives in time to save Northup from death. In order to punish
him for disobeying his master, he hangs him on a tree and keeps him just
low enough not to fully suffocate so long as he stays balanced on the
tips of his toes, which keep sliding in the mud. The camera delays on this
scene for an agonizingly long time Northup will be suspended there
from morning to nightfall and as Northups fight for life takes place in
the central foreground, the world around him gradually comes to life;
slaves arise from their neighboring cabins and go about picking
wildflowers or plants with their heads down and eyes warded off,
contrasting life and death and the fought for freedom in an inventive
way. And yet, even in these moments of extreme pain, the skills of
McQueen and director of photography Sean Bobbitts composition is
astounding. This standout scene that encompasses, of all things, a
hanging, and even in its dreadfulness, is somehow also just beautiful.

This movie is surely a must-watch as it gathers every element for an
exceptional masterpiece. I personally favored it for its excellent
performances, beautiful shots, well scripted scenario and engaging
actors. The movie defines what "moving" and "sentimental" really
means as it portrays one of America's dimmest historical moments in
such a beautifully artistic manner. I truly recommend this movie for
everyone to see, and I personally give it a well-deserved 9 over 10.
However, please note that some of the scenes may not suit children
under 15 years old, as they contain some brief sexuality and disturbing
violence.
........