It's not part of a new trend, like some people say. The breakthrough for filming US slavery history was "Roots" in the 70s, but not even that was the first time. Fashion comes and fashion goes and that's the case also with subjects from the past.

Steve McQueen's film has got very good reviews and is destined to get many Oscars. But despite the brutal subject, the script is so traditional. McQueen sometimes uses long takes, he dares to let the camera focus on actors' faces for long, but the characters are all without complication. Like the audiences have to be underestimated.

Not that we don't need history lessons and sometimes in the film, there's a discussion embryo about owner's right in general. But not more than audiences are supposed to take.