12 years a slave film summary. 12 Years a Slave: 12 Years a Slave 2022-10-18
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12 Years a Slave is a 2013 historical drama film directed by Steve McQueen and written by John Ridley. Based on the 1853 autobiographical novel of the same name by Solomon Northup, the film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northup, a free black man who is abducted and sold into slavery.
The film begins in 1841, with Northup living a comfortable life in Saratoga, New York as a violinist and a family man. One day, he is approached by two men who offer him a job as a musician in Washington, D.C. Northup accepts the offer and travels with the men, but he is drugged and wakes up to find himself in chains. He is then sold to a plantation in Louisiana and given the name "Platt."
Over the next 12 years, Northup is subjected to brutal treatment at the hands of several different slave owners. He is whipped, beaten, and forced to work long hours in the fields without rest. Despite the terrible conditions, Northup remains determined to find a way to regain his freedom.
One of Northup's slave owners is Edwin Epps, played by Michael Fassbender, a cruel and abusive man who takes pleasure in torturing his slaves. Epps' favorite victim is a young woman named Patsey, played by Lupita Nyong'o, who is regularly whipped and beaten for trivial offenses. Northup becomes close with Patsey and tries to protect her from Epps' abuse, but he is powerless to stop it.
Eventually, Northup meets a Canadian carpenter named Bass, played by Brad Pitt, who agrees to help him regain his freedom. Bass sends a letter to Northup's family in New York, and with the help of abolitionists, Northup is able to regain his freedom and return home to his wife and children.
12 Years a Slave is a powerful and poignant film that portrays the horrors of slavery in a way that is both visceral and emotionally affecting. The performances by Ejiofor, Fassbender, Nyong'o, and Pitt are all superb, and the film's depiction of the harsh realities of life on a plantation is both unflinching and harrowing. Overall, 12 Years a Slave is a powerful and important film that serves as a reminder of the atrocities of the past and the importance of standing up for justice and equality.
12 Years a Slave (film)
Solomon is approached by two men, and an opportunity arises for Solomon to temporarily travel to Washington D. Salves were beaten and whipped until they bleed, and some would be covered in scars from the harsh treatment. Retrieved October 2, 2013. The encounter another slave Robert who wants to revolt and take over the ship. Retrieved October 14, 2016. Once Solomon was a free man again he fought against slavery and published his book 12 Years a Slave.
Consequently, Solomon is hanged, but his life is spared, for the men who attempted to hang him were not authorized to do so. Retrieved October 28, 2013. Other characters in the film were also real people, including Edwin and Mary Epps, and Patsey. Free or not, it only took one person for someone to become a slave. It is clear he is fascinated by her, and his wife is none too pleased.
Retrieved March 13, 2014. A series of title cards explain that he attempted to sue his kidnappers but failed. Solomon witnessed firsthand the horror of a slave mother being separated from her children. As a slave you have no rights, identity or home. Edwin Epps embodies the idea of what we believe a slave owner would be like; savage, hateful, and relentless. One night while in Washington, D. The party is over, and it's time to return to Epps's farm.
Twelve Years a Slave (2013 film) Part 2 Summary and Analysis
They have the noose around his neck and are preparing to hang him when Chapin returns, guns drawn. Epps has also taken an especial interest in After getting sent to work on another plantation briefly, where he is able to make some money playing the violin, Solomon returns to Epps' plantation. The popular novel draws upon personal experience to illustrate the daily life of a slave. This returns us to the opening scene, where Solomon is cutting sugar cane. Similarly, by keeping his mouth shut and simply trying to excel, Solomon becomes a target for Tibeats, who views Solomon as a threat to his own dignity and intellect. C who wanted to sell him as a slave to the south. The plot was well expressed and was not vague.
Clemens's master is waiting for them and immediately demands the return of his stolen property. Retrieved February 1, 2013. The watcher witnesses brutal beatings and terrible living conditions of slaves and the disturbingly racist prejudice they underwent. Although, as abolitionists, we have a history of disagreements among us, it time to put stop to our arguments and start fighting for something we all believe in - to abolish slavery. On the new plantation, conditions improve, and Solomon is even permitted to play his violin at a party for pay. They got Solomon drunk at dinner and then Solomon woke up in a box chained up.
Two men lied to Solomon saying that they knew he could play the violin and said they needed him to play the violin for some event in another state. An official state agent was sent to Louisiana to reclaim Northup, and he was successful through a number of coincidences. Retrieved October 26, 2013. When read in conjunction, as in this anthology, there is a distinct repetitiveness. Epps also shows the intense amount of work southern slaves are forced to do with little praise, and often many beatings. Patsey is left with horrifying welts all over her back.
In a later scene, it shows her back all scratched, scared and covered in blood. Bass claims that slavery is morally wrong and says that there is no inherent difference between Black and white people. Back at the slave quarters Eliza is moaning in sadness over the loss of her children. Retrieved November 17, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2016. Chapin approaches and tells Solomon that if he runs, he cannot protect him, implying that he will go to Ford to sort out the conflict. Solomon leaps from the carriage to embrace her one last time before his departure.
Clemens runs to his master, pretending to be much more grateful and less intelligent than he has shown himself to be to Solomon, leaving Solomon behind. Most slaves spent their whole life being a slave. Retrieved January 10, 2016. On several different occasions, he was made to recount the events, and the story remained the same each time; there are legal documents in the appendix. Beasts Star Dwight Henry Also in McQueen's Twelve Years a Slave".
Most slaves spent their whole life being a slave. Retrieved October 27, 2013. Clemens reiterates his advice that Solomon maintain a low profile, denying his ability to read and write. Retrieved June 17, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2013. As they continue work, Solomon takes a chance and asks Bass to write letters to his friends in Saratoga. The climax of the film occurred at an appropriate time and was logical.
Solomon whispers to Patsey that she avoid Epps, which Epps interprets as Solomon making a sexual advance. It is deemed that once a slave earned their freedom, they could not be touched. Northup tells Epps that Solomon is a free man, and Northup and Solomon leave the plantation. For instance, in the film, Edwin Epps offered Bass, a white man who worked on the plantation, a drink but Epps did not care about asking the slaves he only asked Bass because he was white. The synopsis below may give away important plot points. PDF on April 21, 2018.
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