Details on 12 Years a Slave starring Chiwetel Ejiofor
12 Years a Slave is one of the most universally embraced dramatic films of 2013. The incredibly moving story of a free man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery features a stellar ensemble cast bringing to life a riveting, heart-wrenching tale.
Based on an incredible true story of one man's fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender), as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon's chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) will forever alter his life.
Chiwetel Ejiofor - Solomon Northup
Michael Fassbender - Edwin Epps
Sarah Paulson - Mistress Epps
Lupita Nyong'o - Patsey
Paul Giamatti - Freeman
Benedict Cumberbatch - Ford
Paul Dano - Tibeats
JD Evermore - Chapin
Alfre Woodard - Mistress Shaw
Isaiah Jackson - Zachary
Garret Dillahunt - Armsby
Brad Pitt - Bass
Dwight Henry - Uncle Abram
Bryan Batt - Judge Turner
Ashley Duke - Anna
Quvenzhane Wallis - Margaret Northup
Scoot McNairy - Brown
Taran Killam - Hamilton
Michael Kenneth Williams - Robert
Richard Holden - Fitzgerald
MPAA Rating: R for violence/cruelty, some nudity and brief sexuality
Running Time: 134 minutes
Director Steve McQueen (Shame, Hunger) worked his magic using a $20 million budget, with the film earning over $100 million worldwide theatrically. John Ridley adapted Solomon Northup's memoir for the screen and Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Bill Pohlad, Arnon Milchan, Anthony Katagas, and McQueen produced.
Following a festival run in 2013, Fox Searchlight released 12 Years a Slave domestically on November 8, 2013.
12 Years a Slave was shot over 35 days, with filming kicking off at the Felicity Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana. Shooting also took place at Magnolia Plantation in Schriever, Louisiana; Bocage Plantation in Darrow, Louisiana; and Destrahan in lower Mississippi.
AFI Movie Award
9 Academy Award nominations
10 BAFTA nominations and 2 wins
13 Critics' Choice Movie Awards nominations and 3 wins
Directors Guild nomination
7 Golden Globe nominations and 1 win
4 Screen Actors Guild nominations and 1 win
1. Official Synopsis
Based on an incredible true story of one man's fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender), as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon's chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) will forever alter his life.
2. The Cast
Chiwetel Ejiofor - Solomon Northup
Michael Fassbender - Edwin Epps
Sarah Paulson - Mistress Epps
Lupita Nyong'o - Patsey
Paul Giamatti - Freeman
Benedict Cumberbatch - Ford
Paul Dano - Tibeats
JD Evermore - Chapin
Alfre Woodard - Mistress Shaw
Isaiah Jackson - Zachary
Garret Dillahunt - Armsby
Brad Pitt - Bass
Dwight Henry - Uncle Abram
Bryan Batt - Judge Turner
Ashley Duke - Anna
Quvenzhane Wallis - Margaret Northup
Scoot McNairy - Brown
Taran Killam - Hamilton
Michael Kenneth Williams - Robert
Richard Holden - Fitzgerald
3. MPAA Rating and Running Time
MPAA Rating: R for violence/cruelty, some nudity and brief sexuality
Running Time: 134 minutes
4. Budget and Filming Details
Director Steve McQueen (Shame, Hunger) worked his magic using a $20 million budget, with the film earning over $100 million worldwide theatrically. John Ridley adapted Solomon Northup's memoir for the screen and Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Bill Pohlad, Arnon Milchan, Anthony Katagas, and McQueen produced.
Following a festival run in 2013, Fox Searchlight released 12 Years a Slave domestically on November 8, 2013.
12 Years a Slave was shot over 35 days, with filming kicking off at the Felicity Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana. Shooting also took place at Magnolia Plantation in Schriever, Louisiana; Bocage Plantation in Darrow, Louisiana; and Destrahan in lower Mississippi.
5. Awards and Honors
AFI Movie Award
9 Academy Award nominations
10 BAFTA nominations and 2 wins
13 Critics' Choice Movie Awards nominations and 3 wins
Directors Guild nomination
7 Golden Globe nominations and 1 win
4 Screen Actors Guild nominations and 1 win
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