In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty at the hands of a malevolent slave owner, 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 will forever alter his life.
Slavery is a subject that has been tackled on screen many times before, most recently in Django Unchained, but comparing Tarantino's violent drama to this introspective slow burner is like comparing an ant to a supernova. Steve McQueen's follow up to Hunger and Shame is essential viewing.
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