Steve McQueen’s “12 Years A Slave” chronicles the true story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), an America -born free in New York who, in 1941 is kidnapped and sold into slavery. This movie is gripping and stays with you many days after. Typically I like to remain slightly removed when watching a movie so that I may notice the choices of the filmmaker. While there are many lovely filmic moments, I found it very hard to keep my distance. It pulls you in. Some movies use gratuitous violence to shock you and cause fear. Some movies manipulate your heartstrings and cause you sadness. This movie simply shows you things that are so inherently heartbreaking that you have no choice but to feel feelings. Is it gratuitous? Only in the same way that slavery itself is gratuitous. Is it manipulative? No.
Although this is a straightforward narrative film, it takes moments to simply be – like a tableau. At times the pause shows the immense beauty in the landscape of the American south which stands in stark contrasts to the atrocities it beheld. Other times, the camera simply lands on a flower, giving us a moment of melancholy stillness. (Honestly, you will need the break.) But the most haunting use of this motif is when the camera holds a near-lynching for an excruciating amount of time. The plantation is in total stillness then slowly comes to life, nearly blind to what is happening. (Oddly and completely inappropriately, it reminded me of the opening scene from “My Fair Lady” where London’s Covent Garden goes from empty to bustling.) It is a beautifully composed shot which not only eats away at the audience but drives home in no small way the overarching question the movie poses: Is it wrong to stay silent in the face of injustice when your own survival is on the line?
The word “survival” in some form is used many times throughout the film. It is man’s greatest desire but it is also a justification. We see countless examples of others witnessing horrible things happen to others - either staying silent or seeing their actions backfire. The examples cut across race and gender.
The word “survival” in some form is used many times throughout the film. It is man’s greatest desire but it is also a justification. We see countless examples of others witnessing horrible things happen to others - either staying silent or seeing their actions backfire. The examples cut across race and gender.
This is not a politicized movie which seeks to comment on the atrocities of slavery. But it puts us in the position of having to watch it, to come face-to-face with it, and being utterly powerless to brush it away.
It brings into focus our own watching. In the context of the movie, we sit silently and watch. But it is incredibly difficult. I nearly left the theater twice and I know many people who didn’t make it all the way through. I was literally squirming in my seat mouthing words at the screen. I wanted to cut that body down but I couldn't.
As an Oscar contender I hope that it wins Best Picture. And, although I don’t want to wish ill on Matthew McConnaughey, I would love to see Chiwetel Ejiofor* come away with Best Actor. (Like maybe this is McConnaughey’s Bill Murray-”Lost in Translation” moment. But I doubt that will happen. People seem split on whether Best Supporting Actress will go to Lupita Nyong'o - who is a vision as a doted on slave on one of the plantations - or Jennifer Lawrence. For Lawrence sake, I hope it goes to Nyong’o. Too many accolades isn't good for a young person’s career.
*Side note: Remember him in “Love Actually”? Fond memories of a simpler time. Back when January Jones was just a pretty American face .
Just in case this is all feeling a little too heavy, check out the Italian poster for the film.
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