Written By: Allanti Ford/ Houston Sun Intern

The heart stopping film, Twelve Years a Slave is the first Hollywood film based on a true story of a slave who actually lived through slavery. Film director, Steve McQueen, formed not only a film that was challenging but reality.

The American historical drama was an adaptation of the autobiography, Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup (1853). Northup was a free black man who lived in Washington D.C who was deceived into a kidnapping and sold to slavery in 1841.The film has several brutal and emotional main points that cover a crucial, yet ignored period in U.S. history.

Imagine being a free respected man who has achieved goals, a family to share them with, and an established household; and one day everything is taken away including one’s identity and rights. Solomon Northup was known as an outstanding violinist, whose talent provided a comfortable lifestyle for self and family.

One day in Washington he was bamboozled by two foreigners and sold off into slavery down South. There he was shipped away to be sold to slave owners with other freed African Americans for twelve years. During those years, Solomon experienced ruthless thrashings, flagellations and torment as if he was an animal.

Solomon could have easily lost hope, but he ultimately found his way back to freedom. He made it back to his family to begin a new life and make up for the years he had lost, and wrote a book on the time he served in Louisiana on the three plantations.
British actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor, did an awesome job playing the role as Solomon Northup. He certainly deserves an Oscar for his award winning performance.

The role of Solomon Northup was not a tranquil task to accomplish. It takes a strong minded individual to fulfill the situations and experiences Solomon Northup once experienced.

This powerful film was very informative of the ugliness U.S. history holds; regardless of how very sensitive, emotional, and heart breaking it is to the delicate sense. Twelve Years a Slave justifies 5-Stars and it is recommended that one must go and perceived.