12 Years a Slave

“Stark, visceral and unrelenting, 12 Years a Slave is not just a great film but a necessary one.” –The Guardian

Winner of the Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (which has increasingly overlapped with the Oscar’s Best Picture nominees and winners), 12 Years a Slave is as powerful a movie as we’re likely to see anytime soon. Based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man in upstate New York who was abducted and sold into slavery, the film has already become the definitive cinematic portrayal of the cruelties and realities of slavery. During the twelve years Northup was working as a slave, he struggles not only to stay alive but also to retain his dignity. Chiwetel Ejiofor’s performance as Northup sears itself into viewers’ memories, as does the remarkable supporting cast of Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Alfre Woodard, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, and Quvenzhané Wallis. Local audiences might remember director Steve McQueen’s wonderful visit to the Wexner Center in 2009. We’re pleased to be able to offer this regional premiere of McQueen’s most accomplished film yet. This is sure to be one of the most discussed and significant film of the year and there’s a very limited amount of free tickets available, so get your tickets early. (133 mins., DCP)