According to the overwhelming majority of film critics, the best film in 2014 was the Steve McQueen film “12 Years of Slavery”. Actors Michael Fassbender and Chiwetel Ejiofor performed the main roles. This film has received many awards and has collected a record number of rave reviews.
From the history of creation
The film is based on a true story and is based on the autobiography of a person who has gone through all the torments of slavery. The author of the memoirs is a certain Solomon Northup. Steve McQueen is a descendant of West Indies slaves. To remove such a film was a matter of honor for him. However, selecting actors for the film “12 Years of Slavery”, he had not yet read Northup’s autobiographical work. The director planned to make a film on this subject, but in a different scenario. The book of Northup was advised to McQueen by his wife, who accidentally found it and "swallowed" in just one day.
The main actors of the film "12 years of slavery"
Chiwetel Ejiofor played the very Northap whose book so delighted the director’s wife. The actor was known until 2013 in such films as “Real Love”, “Melinda and Melinda”, “Dirty Charms”. Perhaps the best work of Ejiofor in the cinema is the image in the film "12 years of slavery." The actor in the role of Solomon Northup was unusually soulful. He won the hearts of millions of viewers. The BAFTA Prize was included in the list of Ejiofor's awards for this work.
Michael Fassbender played Edwin Epps in the historical drama 12 Years a Slave. The actor had already had experience working with McQueen (Shame) before filming this film. Fassbender was made world famous for his roles in the films Jane Air, The Dangerous Method, Inglourious Basterds and, of course, 12 Years of Slavery. The actor was nominated for his role in the McQueen film for the Golden Globe Award.
It should be said that the Hollywood star has an extremely multifaceted talent. To verify this, it is worth comparing the image of the noble Rochester from the film based on the book of Charlotte Bronte and the villain with the sadistic inclinations from the drama “12 Years of Slavery”.
Actors
McQueen’s film also featured Lupita Niongo, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti and Benedict Cumberbatch. Lolita Niongo for the role of Patsy in the movie McQueen received an Oscar. Benedict Cumberbatch, best known today for the role of Sherlock Holmes, played the role of a humane slave owner. Humane compared to the hero of Fassbender.
Plot
Events unfold in the first half of the 19th century. In those years in America there was still lawlessness towards the black part of the population. Especially in the southern states.
As already mentioned, in the center of the plot of tragic history is a man named Solomon. He lives in the northern part of the country, in which he may well consider himself a free citizen and lead a full life. He has a family and children for whom he is ready to do anything. Solomon's work is also quite popular: he works as a musician and regularly gives performances, which are very popular. Once during a tour, he decides to have a drink with his companions in order to celebrate a successful tour. Solomon does not imagine what a nightmare it will turn out for him ...
During the feast, the musician loses consciousness, after which he finds himself in an unknown place for him. Any attempts to call for help turn out to be a failure. He is beaten and humiliated, for which the main character is not ready. Solomon is given out as a runaway slave and put up for auction. No one believes a black man who assures that he is not the one they are trying to pass him off for. Instead, it is bought by one of the planters living in the southern states.
The slave owner, whose image Cumberbatch embodied on the screen, is not so tyrannical. He treats the main character even with some sympathy.
The real nightmare begins after Solomon outbids Epps. In the possession of the hero of Fassbender, many slaves live. They are forced to work from morning to night, endure hunger, beating and humiliation. Often the owner of the plantation gets drunk to unconsciousness and does truly terrifying things. It is especially difficult for Patsy, who once, driven to an extreme point, begs Solomon to kill her, thereby ending the endless torment and humiliation.
It can hardly be said that the film has a happy ending. Solomon manages to achieve freedom. But this happens after a long twelve years. During this time, much has changed. When the main character returns home, he learns that he became a grandfather several years ago. The grandson was named Solomon in honor of a missing relative.