12 Years a Slave

Best Picture Oscar Winner on DVD – 12 Years a Slave is a 2013 British-American historical drama film -an adaptation of the 1853 slave narrative memoir by Solomon Northup.

12 Years A Slave tells the incredible true story of one man's fight for survival and freedom. Acclaimed director Steve McQueen (Shame, Hunger) helms an exceptional cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong'o, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti and Sarah Paulson.

In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man, is abducted and sold into slavery. With no opportunity to prove his identity, he is consigned to assume the name of ‘Platt’, a runaway Georgian slave. Despite being thousands of miles away from his wife and children and having no way of contacting them, Solomon's hope for his freedom never completely diminishes. He steels himself in case the opportunity were to arise, urging his fellow slave, Patsey (Nyong'o) to do the same. Facing cruelty from a malevolent slave owner (Michael Fassbender), Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity in his quest to be reunited with his family. Based on the memoirs of Solomon Northup, this film is the unforgettable vision of one man's will to overcome adversity.

2014's most nominated and most awarded film, 12 Years A Slave scooped up the most coveted acknowledgments including ‘Best Picture’, ‘Best Supporting Actress’ and ‘Best Adapted Screenplay’ at the Academy Awards, ‘Best Picture’ and ‘Best Leading Actor’ at the British Academy of Film and Television Awards, ‘Best Picture’ at the Golden Globes, and ‘Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Supporting Role’ at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Rightfully lauded as a contemporary classic, 12 Years A Slave is the must-see film of 2014.

Awards for 12 Years a Slave:

• Won Oscar Best Motion Picture of the Year (Academy Awards, USA 2014)
• Won Golden Globe Best Motion Picture – Drama (Golden Globes, USA 2014)
• Won BAFTA Film Award Best Film (BAFTA Awards 2014)
• Nominated Oscar Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Chiwetel Ejiofor (Academy Awards, USA 2014)
• Nominated Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Chiwetel Ejiofor (Golden Globes, USA 2014)
• 135 other wins and 131 other nominations

Critic Reviews:

• " Director McQueen, drawing on the visual aesthetic of his previous works Shame and Hunger, never shies away from frames that capture the ways that beauty exists in the most painful situations. " – Nijla Mu'min

• " Ambitious, honest and horrifying all at once, 12 Years a Slave may not be the easiest film to watch more than once, but it will stay with you forever once you see it. " – Candice Frederick

• " A significant, necessary piece of work, one that stays with you long after you rise out of your theater seat. " – Jen Chaney