This film closes on Thursday, February 6th. 

Born and living a free man in New York, Solomon Northup (an outstanding Chiwetel Ejiofor) is abducted to New Orleans, where he is sold into slavery, his freedom, identity, and life taken from him. He becomes the property of the relatively benign William Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch) until a near-lynching at the hands of a jealous overseer results in him being passed to Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender at his most chilling). Epps is a violent drunkard who believes unquestioningly in the righteousness of slavery, and is also obsessed with slave girl Patsey (a breakout performance from Lupita Nyong’o), much to the displeasure of his wife.

Director Steve McQueen, no stranger to challenging material (Hunger, Shame), has created a work of immense power, a harrowing, unflinching examination of one of the greatest crimes against humanity, featuring a superb cast and indelible imagery. (Notes by Kevin Coyne.) 

Join us for this month’s FREE Afternoon Talk, Historical Responses to 12 Years a Slave, on Thursday, February 6th at 16.00.

Don’t forget we now schedule weekly.