Ever since its debut at Telluride and TIFF, Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave has been gaining critical acclaim left, right, and centre.
The film was long one of the most anticipated of the year, with McQueen’s making a return behind the camera following 2011’s acclaimed (and Oscar-snubbed) Shame.
Whilst it’s now playing in US cinemas, UK audiences will have to wait until January for its arrival, and eOne has begun gearing up the momentum towards its release with a new TV spot for our shores.
12 YEARS A SLAVE is based on an incredible true story of one man’s fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender) as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) forever alters his life.
Chiwetel Ejiofor leads one of the finest casts of the year, alongside Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Paul Giamatti, Scoot McNairy, Michael Kenneth Williams, Garrett Dillahunt, Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry, Ruth Negga, Alfre Woodard, and newcomer Lupita Nyong’o.
McQueen is directing from a script written by John Ridley (Red Tails, Three Kings), based on Solomon Northup’s autobiography of the same name.
12 Years a Slave will be released in the UK on 10th January, 2014, just six days before the Academy announces the Oscar nominations in the New Year.
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