Key Facts:
- Film: 12 Years a Slave
- Released: 10th January 2014
- Director: Steve McQueen
- Certificate: 15 uncut
- The film has clear historic themes and is based on a true story.
- It was thought that the film would be educational and received in a sensitive manor.
Plot
In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.
Why was it problematic?
- Strong violence, showing slaves being abused and beaten.
- Some scenes show graphic injury resulting from violence.
- Sexual scenes between a man and a slave, it could be implied that it was non-consensual.
- Both male and female nudity.
- Racist terms are used throughout.
What was the conclusion?
- Many of the issues were put aside as they were shown in a sensitive and educational light, which shows the horror of how slaves were treated.
More Facts
- Some viewers walked out of the theater during the film due to the violent scenes causing upset.
- Toronto Film Festival gave the film a standing ovation.
- Some critics accused McQueen of sugarcoating slavery by having a happy ending.
- Some argued that the abuse was just too much.
- Posters caused controversy after Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender appeared to be the focus, rather than the slave actor.
Jess Marshall's A2 Media Studies Blog 