12 Years a Slave: Just a Few Thoughts

Slavery was an undeniably inhumane, brutal set of events that facilitated death, torture and involuntary servitude of many Africans and African descendants.  As much as it pains me to see the brutality inherent in a movie about slavery, I feel compelled to watch.  It is the same feeling you get when someone says "do not look."  Inevitably, you will look. It is easy to enjoy the fruits of the labor of my ancestors and forget about the sacrifices they made.  This movie serves as an immediate reminder of the hardships endured by my ancestors.  When I have children, there are a few movies that I will insist they see.  "12 Years a Slave" ("12 Years") is on that short list.      

The following words come to mind when I think about this movie: compelling, frightening, nightmare, reality, and history.  In case you did not know, 12 Years is a movie based on the true events of Solomon Northup's life. His story is one of the most compelling, frightening, and triumphant stories ever told.  Solomon was an African-American man born in Saratoga, New York in 1808.  He was born a free man, and he had a wife and two children.  He had a career as a practicing musician and was well educated.  The sequences that led to him being sold in the slave trade are unthinkable.  

One of the most heart wrenching scenes I have ever seen in a movie happened in 12 Years.  The scene I am about to describe happened relatively early in the movie and really set the tone for what was in store for the viewing audience.  This particular scene shows Solomon waking up in a dirty, cold jail cell.  He was bound by chains on his hands and feet.  As he woke up, the look in his eyes was sheer horror and disbelief.  He looked as if he was waking up from a bad dream.  Unfortunately, for him, the chains were real, and he was no longer a free man. He was no longer Solomon Northup; instead, at that moment, he became Platt the slave. That scene still sends chills up and down my spine each time I recall it.    

Over the years, I have seen a good share of slavery movies, including: "Roots," "Amistad," and "Glory."  12 Years is different than each of those movies in a profound way.  This movie showed the horrors of slavery through the eyes of an educated, free, American born, black man. This man was aware that slavery existed, but never thought he would be subjected to it.  Most slavery movies focus on slave transportation from Africa to the United States of America.  This movie, however, is different.    

This movie delved into the psyche of a learned man trying to rationalize how to survive in an oppressive system that was inherently irrational.  Although nothing exists that can be compared to slavery directly, the closest analogy involves the modern day prison system.  Close your eyes. Imagine going out  with your friends one night and having too much to drink.  Imagine them driving you home and putting you to bed. Then, imagine waking up the next morning inside a cold, dirty, jail cell in Russia. Imagine your kidnappers telling you that you would spend the rest of your life working without pay in a prison camp.  Oh and, by the way, imagine that they tell you that you no longer will be referred to by the first and last name your parents gave you.  Now, you will be simply referred to as "Kunta."  As bad as that sounds, slavery was infinitely worse.  

Watching how becoming a slave gradually broke Solomon's will was very difficult.  The process was slow, methodical and somewhat subtle.  At the beginning of 12 Years, Solomon was a proud, intelligent, loving, father and husband.  By the time he had endured multiple years as a slave, he was no longer Solomon; instead, he was "Platt." He had been transformed into a slave.   

Without revealing too many details from the movie, I will briefly discuss a couple subtle points.  At the beginning of his bondage, his owner told Solomon that his name was Platt. Solomon let it be known that his name was Solomon.  This was one of the times he acted in a defiant manner.  Also, in the beginning stages of his bondage, he made eye contact with his master when he talked to him.    

Many of Solomon's struggles were a result of him being a rational man and his inability to understand the relationship between slave owner and slave.  This point resonates with me because I am too an educated man.  I can only imagine trying to rationalize an inherently irrational set of rules that you must abide by when those very rules cut against everything you have ever known to be true.  A quick example would be someone telling you that 2 plus 2 is 5.  You know that is not right, but you have to agree to it over and over and over again.  And, the only rational basis for the belief is because someone told you so.  

It hurt to see him towards the end of his time as a slave.  By that time, he had accepted his name as Platt, he talked with his head down and did not make eye contact when speaking with his master or any other white person.  He even began singing the slave spiritual songs that he had previously not sang.  He was left with a very tough decision.  He had to choose between his dignity and survival.  He chose the latter.  The transformation is subtle, but evident if you pay attention.  

Sometimes, everything about a movie comes together perfectly.  This movie showcased some of the best acting I have ever seen. Three characters in this movie are worthy of Oscar consideration.

Chiwetel Ejiofor's depiction of Soloman Northup was exceptional.  His role as Soloman/Platt is the best depiction of a slave I have ever seen.  You could see the pain in his eyes during critical moments; you could feel the raw emotions through the lines he delivered.  He should win an Oscar award for Best Actor, and he should win by a land slide.  He was that good and his performance was nothing short of exceptional.  

Lupita Nyonongo'o's depiction of Patsy deserves an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.  Her role as a slave and prized field hand was well played.  She was put in a no-win situation because on the one hand, she was the apple of her sadistic owner's eye. However, on the other hand, she was raped and brutalized by her master and hated by her master's wife.  Her role shed some light on the rape culture that was prevalent.  The horror and pure passion she displayed in her depiction as Patsy is Oscar worthy.  

Michael FassBender's role as Platt and Patsy's master, Epps, was well played.  Epps' character displayed sadistic and psychotic behavior that many of the slave masters exhibited during those times.  He used many tactics to keep his slaves in check and was known to be a "nigger breaker" amongst slaves and slave owners.  He used tactics such as violence, fear, degradation and even religion as methods to exercise control over his slaves.  You will hate his character because he was a repulsive man, but if you take a step back, you will probably appreciate the authenticity with which he depicted this character.  His performance is certainly worthy of a Best Supporting Actor role at the Oscar Awards as well.  

This movie is a must see.  It will make you feel a myriad of emotions, but it is worth seeing.

Peace