12 Years a Slave

This study guide will help you analyze the movie 12 Years a Slave (2013) directed by Steve McQueen. You can also find a summary of the events, as well as inspiration for interpreting the film and putting it into perspective. You can also read about the book on which the film is based, how the two differ, and also read an analysis of an excerpt which can be found in the textbook Black Voices.

Presentation of the text

Title: 12 Years a Slave
Director: Steve McQueen
Genre: Film

Sir Steve Rodney McQueen (b. 1969) is a British film director, screenwriter, and producer. His films usually deal with heavy subject matter and difficult issues. McQueen’s best-known works are the films Hunger (2007), 12 Years a Slave (2013), and Widows (2018). In 2011, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire. McQueen is also the first black film director to win an Oscar for Best Picture with the film 12 Years a Slave.

12 Years a Slave is based on the memoir Twelve Years a Slave (1853) by Solomon Northup, detailing the account of a black man from New York who was born free but was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the Deep South. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup and features a diverse cast of supporting actors, such as Lupita Nyong’o, Michael Fassbender, and Alfre Woodward.

12 Years a Slave had a mainly positive reception, with critics praising it for its cinematography, soundtrack, and acting. The film won three Oscars for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Lupita Nyong’o’s portrayal of the character Patsey. The film also won a BAFTA for Best Picture and Best Actor.

Excerpt from the study guide:

The action takes place in many locations. The film starts in Saratoga Springs, New York, where Solomon lives as a free man. The ending also takes place in Saratoga, as Solomon is reunited with his family. This gives the impression that Solomon’s story comes full circle.

The story then moves to various locations, from Saratoga Springs to Washington, where Solomon is kidnapped and sold into slavery, to New Orleans, at Freeman’s slave market, to three plantations. Each location is significant for the main character, as his situation seems to get worse as time passes, and he gets further and further away from his home, slowly losing his identity as Solomon Northup ...