The extraordinary true story of Solomon Northup|Oct. 18, 2013|USA|134 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;History
Description: **12 Years a Slave (2013) – Plot Summary**
In 1841, Solomon Northup, a free African-American man, earns his living as a violinist while residing with his wife and two children in Saratoga Springs, New York. His life takes a tragic turn when two men, Brown and Hamilton, offer him a short-term musical job in Washington, D.C. Instead, they drug Northup and sell him to James H. Birch, a slave trader. Despite asserting his freedom, Northup is brutally beaten and transported to New Orleans with other enslaved individuals, who advise him to adapt to survive in the South.
Under the identity of “Platt,” a runaway slave from Georgia, Northup is sold to William Ford, a plantation owner. Ford develops a fondness for Northup and gifts him a violin. However, conflicts arise between Northup and John Tibeats, a carpenter on the plantation. When Northup defends himself from Tibeats, he faces a lynching attempt, which is halted by the overseer. Ford rescues Northup but eventually sells him to Edwin Epps, a cruel and sadistic owner.
Epps’ plantation becomes a place of immense suffering for Northup. There, he meets Patsey, Epps’ favored cotton picker, who endures both abuse from Epps’ jealous wife and Epps’ predatory behavior. Following a crop failure due to cotton worms, Epps leases his slaves to Judge Turner’s plantation. Turner appreciates Northup’s talents, allowing him to play the fiddle at events and keep his earnings. Northup attempts to regain his freedom by paying Armsby, a field hand, to send a letter to his friends in New York. However, Armsby betrays Northup, forcing him to burn the letter to protect himself from Epps’ wrath.
The film portrays Northup’s harrowing journey through slavery, highlighting his resilience and determination to reclaim his freedom.
Cast director: Steve McQueen
Cast actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Adepero Oduye, Scoot McNairy, Paul Giamatti, Brad Pitt
Original name: 12 Years a Slave