12 Years a Slave

Slavery in America was so bad that slaves actually wanted to move to the frozen wilderness of Canada.

Unfortunately, the slave in this drama doesn't make it out of New Orleans.

Touring with a performing troupe, a musician from New York, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), is sold into slavery - despite being a freeman.

Liquidated to a plantation owner (Benedict Cumberbatch) under the slave name Platt, Solomon shares his insight with his master.

But when a handyman (Paul Dano) starts harassing him, Platt is sold to Epps (Michael Fassbender) to keep him safe.

There, he meets Patsey (Lupita Nyong'o), whom he tries to save from the sadistic Epps.

Based on Northup's own account, 12 Years a Slave captures the brutality of the times with brilliant performances.

However, the director's sullen static shots can become tedious.

Incidentally, inequality continues to exist so long as black history month only has 28 days?

Green Light

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