REVIEW: 12 Years A Slave

12 Years a Slave (★★★★★ Directed by Steve McQueen)

I don’t feel qualified as a reviewer or a person to critique this film effectively, but I can’t not mention it.

It has its faults as a movie, but in all other respects this is not a subject that can casually be debated or picked over like it’s any other film.

Crucial, unforgettable viewing, 12 Years tells the story of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1800s US.

Based on Northup’s account of his time as a slave, the film is unflinching, uncompromising and incredibly hard to watch.

But watch it anyway, if not for the brutal reminder of human cruelty then for Chiwetel Ejiofor’s incredible, Oscar worthy performance.