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Cherryl F. Surigao 2011-39389 BS Public Health III

12 Years a Slave

12 years a slave is based on a true story, directed by Steve McQueen, to memorialize a

free Negro Solomon Northup, a violinist and a family man living in New York and was abducted

and sold as a slave in 1841. He was sold to plantation owners, various ones, before sold to a

violent owner who is Edwin Epps. After being enslaved for about 12 years, a man whom heknew in Saratoga comes to free him due to the effort of Bass sending Solomons letter to

Saratoga. Northup was freed and has returned to his family. Avery brilliant drama on how

Solomon underwent all the obstacles in 12 years in order to survive and to be able to not lose

humanity and live to see his beloved family. Overall, the director presented a very dramatic and

emotional film revolving on Solomon Northup, who was successfully played by Chiwetel

Ejiofor.

Steve McQueen and John Ridley (writer) did a great job developing the film which was

commercially released last October 18, 2013. It was a US box office hit grossing $ 40.6 M

(according to Rotten Tomatoes.com).

First of all, I commend the actors for their well played roles and the scenes that never

failed to capture my attention. The music is calm and well arranged which perfectly fits the

scenes. The concept, design and the clothes matched the ideal western costume in the early times

though there were some touches of modernizations. The film cinematography was nice, it has a

sense of depth, like I am looking not just on films but more likely on paintings that of which

those every scene draws me onto it. At some parts though, I felt that there were scenes which

were dark and also a bit vivid at times. There were the themes of racism, slavery, violence,

injustice, inhuman cruelty and the essence of life which makes the film epic and worth watching.

As stated by Stephanie Zacharek of The Village Voice, It is a picture that stays more than a fewsafe steps away from anything so dangerous as raw feeling. Even when it depicts human cruelty,

as it often does, it never compromises its aesthetic purity.

All I can say is that this film deeply moved me. It left a very powerful impression that

even I attempted not to blink for a long period of time, not even turning my gaze away from the

film. I can say that this film is balanced, not overemphasized. I was especially drawn by the

scene wherein Solomon was left hanging on the tree barely touching the ground. This scene for

me was the proof of Solomons will to live, just like what he had said I dont want to survive, I

want to live. I also want to praise the films brutal or violent look together with those sadistic

whipping parts. Truly, it is a movie that would make you feel inspired, a movie that can openevery persons eyes, pierces the soul especially with regards to slavery and racism. I cant

possibly compare it to any other films since this kind of films werent my type. That is why,

maybe, almost all of my reactions were positive which is, I think true since the film really

deserves good or rather great comments. To end this, I would like to share what Owen

Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly had said, A movie about life that gets taken away, and

that is why it lets us touch what life is.