Analysis of 12 Years a Slave Film - Movie Review Example

Film Review: 12 Years a Slave Name Student ID Course Instructor Date Film Review: 12 Years a Slave Introduction 12 years a slave is a story about Solomon Northup, who is a learned free black guy who lives in the New York in the 18th Century who experiences abduction, shipped to the South and sold as a slave. The reason for selecting this film is because it one kind of art that arouses both emotional and intellectual feelings by addressing a very significant aspect in the society; slavery and racism. The movie plays a significant role in creating awareness of slavery and racism; hence, a solution may be reached towards its abolishment. The movie was released in 2013 and it adopted an 1853 slave narrative account. The movie is based on a true story of a male, Solomon Northup who was fighting for his freedom and survival. Northup’s story was written in the 1930s straight away after he was released. He was exploited by his owner; he struggles for both survival and his dignity (Northup & Allen 2012). The kidnapping of free northern males to serve as salves in the South portrays literal black market but the movie insists that it represents a larger section of a bigger market where humans are sold to slavery, or for debt settlement purposes and white persons have the right to manipulate them how they wish. The movie is of hurting emotional experience and it features extensive brutality, sadism, misery and pitilessness. There is emotions and tragedy at every corner as the masters torture their servants. Background In the movie, Solomon earns a living through fiddle playing and is married to a teacher. He is abducted by some white males and taken to New Orleans where is notified that h will be called Plat and traded for slavery. He toils in the hands of Mr. Ford who later understands that Plats is learned and is an artist. Ford sells Platt to Mr. Epps who is a drug addict and a sadist and an owner of coffee estate. Though he is a frequent bible reader, Epps refers to his slaves as his property and has taken one of the best coffee pickers, Patsey, as his lover. Epps believes that he has biblical responsibility to oppress his slaves. He punishes his slaves for not picking 200 pounds of cotton in a day. Patsey is hated by Epps wife and the affair with the husband fuels a lot of cruelty towards her (Northup & Allen 2012). Towards the 12th year, Solomon meets an abolitionist who completely changes his life. He manages to escape and becomes an activist in slavery abolishment. The US ended this form of slavery in the mid 1860s while countries like Mauritania did not end such slavery until early 1980s. However, many form of slavery still exist in different regions of the globe. This film is significant in that it is a significant presentation of the bitter part of history characterized by excessive slavery and racism. The movie is among the major artistic work that have managed to give a direct stare to slavery and racism and put up with the gaze. This has marked a significant step in the entertainment sector. Theoretical Underpinnings The movie is based on raw history and fascinating cinematography. It presents a significant and painful part of history and the racial politics that still exist today. Religion is presented in 12 years a slave a tool used by slave owners to influence their slaves to obey. The slaves in the film are not impacted so serve their masters by the bible verses read to them but by the violence of their master. The film explores matters of slavery and racism. The forms of slavery that exist today include forced labor, sexual slavery, and child labor exists in majority of the countries. Issues of forced marriages and child soldiers are forced labor since children do not have the capacity to desist ('12 Years a Slave' 2013). In the current times, people still enslave others in form of labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and forced labor in agricultural farms and as domestic servants. Also, people are forced to work as peddlers, strippers, and hostesses. In countries such as the US, these forms of forced labor are so common and people imagine it. Critical Evaluation Presentation of slaves as only at the angle of people becoming property does not portray the exact issue of slavery as it was in the ancient times. For instance, Greece, the right of slave ownership was justified as a way of getting wealthy or as a military booty. In the movie however, slavery is underpinned by a novel theory that tend to portray whites as sub-humans. It was this kind of racism that offers an explanation why countries such the US that claimed to uphold democracy would trade over 12 million blacks across Atlantic to work as slaves. Even the ruling classes in both Europe and America who fought for equality embraced slavery. The movie is an influential imagery and a presentation of slavery as it occurred in the ancient times. It is significant to recall the past, as it is a mirror in which the dim outlines of the coming times is discerned and by which they are made more symmetrical. Slavery remembrance serves as a national project which acknowledges its cruelty and brings to attention the hostility of American slavery. The movie has raised awareness among different audiences and presents the national injustices faced by slaves (12 Years a Slave – review 2014). The film has served as an instrument for redemption and it brought awareness of the barbarity associated with slavery. Also, the film presents the inhuman associated with slavery. The negative critics if this film is that it has excessive nudity and terrible cases of violence, even rape. The case of nudity in rape cases is a clear reflection of what slaves went through in the ancient times. However, the issues presented in the film are issues that require being addressed; issues of slavery and racism. A number if the scenes presented in the film are traumatic but it is significant for it brings out the actual reality of the brutality which accompanies slavery. The film is a reminder how awful some humans are. Conclusion This paper is a critical review of the film 12 years a slave. The film is about a black male, Solomon Northup, who was born in New York, sold into slavery in the North, and later managed to escape. The film is based on a true story and it written immediately after his release in the 1930s. After his release, Northup began movement for slavery abolishment. The reason for selecting this film is because it addresses a very significant aspect in the society; slavery and racism. Slavery represents a vital part of ancient history and the brutality experienced by these people. Slavery was greatly embraced in the ancient times even by the rulers who claimed to have powerful consciousness for equality and justice, such as those from the US. Slave ownership was viewed as a sign of wealth and superiority. Those who present negative critics about the movie argue that the movie portrays excessive nudity and trauma that is disheartening to watch. However, the movie is a true reflection of the actual life and brutality experienced by those who had been enslaved. The movie is significant in the current times because it brings awareness of the issues on issues of slavery and racism; with such awareness, it is possible to establish long lasting solutions to the issues. Slavery still exists in the current times in form of forced labor, child labor, and forced marriages. Bibliography Northup, S & Allen R, 2012, Twelve years a slave, [Holland, Ohio]: Dreamscape Media. '12 Years a Slave': Movie review - NY Daily News, October 17, 2013, viewed May 21, 2015, from . 12 Years a Slave – review | Film | The Guardian, 12 January 2014, viewed May 21, 2015, from . Read More