Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Solomon Northup in “12 Years a Slave.”
Credit: Fox Searchlight
The Oscar for Best Picture went to “12 Years a Slave,” a historical drama based on the memoir of Solomon Northup, a freed African American kidnapped into slavery in the 1840s.
The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northup, as well as Best Supporting Actress winner Lupita Nyong’o as a fellow slave, and Michael Fassbender as Northup’s most sadistic plantation owner.
“12 Years a Slave” is the third acclaimed film in a row by British experimental filmmaker Steve McQueen. Previously, he made the IRA drama “Hunger” and the sex addiction film “Shame,” both starring Fassbender.
“12 Years a Slave” currently stands at 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 97 on Metacritic. It has so far earned $49 million at the North American box office, and another $78 in other countries.
It was also nominated for Best Actor (Ejiofor), Supporting Actor (Fassbender), Director, Adapted Screenplay, Costume Design, Editing and Production Design.
