The Movie 12 Years a Slave Released in 2013

The movie "12 Years a Slave" was released in 2013 and was directed by Steve McQueen. It takes place in the United States during the 1800's, which was a time where slavery of black people was very common. Based on this setting the genres of the movie are biography, history and drama. One of the lead actors, Chiwetel Ejiofor, plays the role of Solomon Northup, an intelligent and free black man who lives with his wife and children in New York.

Other lead actors are Lupita Nyong'o, who plays the role of the slave girl Patsey. She is owned by the cruel plantation owner, Edwin Epps, which is played by Michael Fassbender. In the beginning of the movie Solomon is kidnapped and shipped to New Orleans with many other black men and women. When they arrive, they find out they are going to be sold as slaves to rich farmers. A kind man named Ford, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, buys Solomon so he can work for him at his farm. Unfortunately, a mean white man at the farm makes a lot of trouble for Solomon, which leaves Ford no choice but to sell him to Edwin Epps. Edwin is an evil man, who treats his slaves like animals. Solomon becomes good friends with Patsey, a young and beautiful slave girl who is one of Edwin's best cotton pickers. Both her and Solomon are abused a lot by Edwin, but they both find ways to survive.

Solomon appears to be a very brave and strong man, who tries to make the best out of every terrible situation he is in. Even though he was punished for being so, Solomon was an excellent reader and writer. After twelve difficult years he finally manages to send a letter home to someone that can help him out of the slavery. His friend from New York finds him, frees him and reunites Solomon with his family. The main theme is slavery, which is something that is brutally portrayed throughout the movie.

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One of the highlights is definitely when Solomon is working in the cotton field, and his friend arrives to rescue him. It is very touching to see the look on his face and understand how relieved he is to finally be set free and to be reunited with his family. The scene where he sits down in the carriage to leave the plantation is also heartwarming because you finally understand he is leaving twelve years of a terrible life. The actors were fantastic because they played very well together. Each of them played their characters in a very realistic and believable way. A part of the film I thought was disappointing was the part where the lashing started, and when Solomon was transferred to Edwin Epps plantation. It was very sad to watch, but if they would not have showed it in the movie it would not be as realistic as it is. I would definitely recommend this movie to other teenagers because it gives a very good description of how slavery was like, and how terrible it was. I learnt a lot from watching this movie, especially in a historical way, because it opened my eyes to how different society was back then.

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