MOVIE: Twelve Years A Slave Named Best Drama At Golden Globe Awards

First thing you have to know about 12 Years A Slave is that it is a film about slavery. Secondly, it is nothing like its predecessors. It is based on a book by Solomon Northup, a free black musician from New York who was kidnapped, shipped to the South and sold to the owner of a Louisiana plantation in 1841. And this is exactly what makes this story so outstanding and shockingly truthful. The main difference is actually a chance for a viewer to relate to the protagonist. Imagine a free man, a family man whose life is just like any other. He is well-mannered, sophisticated and respected. Then one morning he wakes up in chains. The life he is used to is far behind, the new one holds nothing but never-ending suffering. 

Steve McQueen has done a magnificent work here on every level. For now, I would particularly like to point out how colour is tremendously significant in this film. For instance, when Solomon finds himself in a cell, there is only one source of light provided by the small barred prison window, and we share his confusion having seen soft and warm candlelight at the fancy restraunt where he dined. 

The nature which is apparently only a background for action in such films here reinforces a contrast between a beautiful world, full of hope and all the injustice and pain. You literally can't stop admiring it. The grass is ever so green, the sun is always shining, the camera is constantly moving giving them all a proper credit. In fact, there is one jaw-dropping, ethereally beautiful sunset that made me hold my breath. 12 Years A Slave is a painting – artful, complex and ruthless in exposing people's vices. 

Steve McQueen on the set of 12 YEARS A SLAVE

McQueen continues the tradition of extended shots directing his third act. Here he forces an audience into looking at something they may not be comfortable with and stay there for quite a long time. Although this technique is rather tricky to use, in this case it works out perfectly giving us a break from 1-2 seconds shots in mainstream Hollywood cinema as well as challenging us with more drama. He is not too cautious with the raw material letting the story flow from one part to another. 

However, 12 Years A Slave is not easy to watch. Some parts of it are actually brutal, appalling and emotionally devastating because they tell a shaming, sugar-free truth.

It is superbly acted by a bunch of extraordinary actors: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael K. Williams,Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt and Lupita Nyong'o. Each of them was great and more importantly, they formed a marvellous ensemble. Chiwetel Ejiofor's (Solomon Northup) acting in 12 Years A Slave was one of the most brilliant performances I have seen in my life. He is present, horrifyingly convincing and able to make you forget about where you are and step into the film itself. His story is soul-crushing but it is also very powerful, simply incredible. I dare say, you will surely get you to that point where you can't just go home and keep doing whatever it is you are doing in this time of the day. 

I intended this review as spoiler free, so I will only mention that Benedict Cumberbatch's Mr.Ford repels me even though he might seem one of the pleasant white people there. And yes, his part was shamefully small, but he has managed to portray his rather equivocal character wonderfully.

If talk about Brad Pitt whose part is even smaller, he just nails it. He is an A-list actor and he proves he is worth it every single time.

Main female part played by Lupita Nyong'o (Patsey) is going to be really memorable too. It is her debut in British film as a Kenyan actress and she has a very bright future in front of her, mark my words. I do not want to describe what Michael Fassbender was like this time because you has to watch it with your own eyes. He is going to be the one who quotes the Bible and claims he has got the right to treat live people like his property from God himself and you are going to be really properly scared. 

In short, 12 Years A Slave is essential movie going: smart and well thought-out narrative cinema rather than action-packed, sloppy cash-cow. I shall be quite disappointed if it does not get an Oscar, honestly. Still, there has been a Golden Globe, so maybe I should not give up hope.