Analysis Of The Movie 12 Years A Slave - 1429 Words

In 12 Years A Slave (2013), directed by Steve McQueen, the audience is provided with an understanding of characters, place and main character’s experience through mise-en-scene and cinematography. 12 Years a Slave surrounds a black man named Solomon Northup, who was sold into slavery in the 1850’s. It is a graphic retelling of a slave’s existence in Louisiana. The specific sequence used for analysis is one where Northup attempts to escape, but stumbles upon a lynching ritual. By use of cinematography and mise-en-scene, Steve McQueen allows the audience to view slavery in its every day format, and learn that this part of history was simply a reality. Characters Experience. Through mise-en-scene and cinematography, McQueen provides us with†¦show more content†¦Northup’s expression as he immediately comes across the party, compared to the expression as he walks away, is key in understanding the thematic intention of the film. To start it is one of shock and fear, an immediate reaction to the ritual he fell upon. After the quick understanding of what is occurring, he makes eye contact with the men in the nooses. Their expressions are pained, there is no hope left, they are now only bodies primed for hanging. Solomon walks away from the bodies of the hanged slaves, his expression gradually changing from shock to acceptance. An understanding that this is common practice. The lighting develops this idea, as in this sequence it is entirely natural, and sun is beaming down on all characters. This suggests to the audience that this act of violence is not hidden, it isn’t executed in the dark when there is lesser cha nce of being seen. it is a reality. Compare this with the scene of Solomon’s own attempted lynching. While he is strung up by a noose struggling to survive, the slave children begin to play in the background. They are fully aware that he is there, however this form of violence is part of their life, it is not shocking. Through this we are made aware of the theme in the film- slavery, and the violence accompanied with it, was not shameful nor kept secret. Black people in this environment lived a life constantly plagued by the threat of a hanging noose. Character. The dynamics between characters areShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Movie 12 Years A Slave 1735 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction In the movie â€Å"12 Years A Slave†, we are introduce to a middle class well educated African American free man, name Solomon Northrop, who was married man with two children; a son and a daughter. He was coerced, deceived and fell victim of Human Trafficker, who sold him to slavery for 12yrs. Even though this event happened in 1841, before Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln in January 1863, which set freed every slave in the United States, the same crime still happensRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie 12 Years A Slave 1279 Words   |  6 Pages12 Years a Slave The antagonist in this film was Master Edwin Epps. He is a cotton plantation owner, who owns many slaves. He is an unstable drunk, who is his worst when intoxicated. He is married to a woman named Mary, yet is infatuated with his best cotton picker Patsey. Many of his slaves called him a cruel and unjust man. His love for a Patsey leads him to become in a way, crazy. He doesn t know how to control his feelings of love and hate for her, so he feels he does horrible things to herRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie 12 Years A Slave 1083 Words   |  5 Pages12 Years a Slave Change can sometimes be overwhelming for those who are used to being where they have been for a while. Change can be beneficial or it can be horribly uncomfortable to adjust to. Change can come through the minds that want a difference and it can also be forced upon someone like a hurricane or an unapproved marriage. One fact about change is that no matter how hard one tries to avoid it, it will eventually happen and there is nothing he/ she can do about it. It’s unavoidable. SometimesRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie 12 Years A Slave 1051 Words   |  5 Pages 12 Years a Slave is a drama film about a free African American man, Solomon Northup, who was kidnapped and sold to slavery. The movie was released in 2013 starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Brad Pitt. 12 Years a Slave has earned three Academy Awards and a Golden Globe. The movie is based off of a memoir written in 1853 by Solomon Northup. The film is for people who are fascinated with history and enjoy dramatic scenes. However, it is also a movie that informsRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie 12 Years A Slave 1114 Words   |  5 Pages12 Years a Slave is based on a true story which occurred in 1841 where a free African-American violinist name Solomon Northup who lived in Saratoga New York with his wife and children was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the pre- civil war under the name of Platt. He faced cruelty by many slave owners as well as unexpected kindness from others. He finds that cooperation generally gets some nowhere and sometimes gets you into trouble due to jealousy. There were times when he thought he could trustRead More12 Years a Slave movie-analysis Essay1093 Words   |  5 Pages12 Years a Slave The movie  «12 Years a slave » is based on the book  «12 Years a Slave » by Soloman Northup. Its his life story of how he got lured in a trap and kidnapped in 1841. Its about how he was sold into slavery in the south, and what happened during those 12 years a slave . The movie was released in 2013, but the book was first published in 1853. The setting of the movie was in the US, mostly in the states New York and Louisiana. The film was directed by Steve McQueen, hes also knownRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie 12 Years A Slave By Steve Mcqueen1396 Words   |  6 Pages The movie 12 Years a Slave, directed by Steve McQueen, depicts a free black man, Solomon Northup, from New York who was drugged and kidnapped in order to be sold into slavery in the pre-Civil War South. The movie is filled with powerful scenes and moments of tension that portray the cruel, gruesome years that millions of slaves experienced. For the next twelve years of Solomon’s life, the movie illustrates how he became a piece of property under several different masters. Solomon spent the bulkRead MoreAnalysis Of Django Unchained And 12 Years A Slave1543 Words   |  7 PagesAt first, I wanted to analyze the movie Django Unchained and how it took a somewhat satirical approach on slavery and how slaves were treated in the 19th century. But when I saw 12 Years a Slave, and how it took a more serious approach on how slavery was in the 19th century. There were a lot of compare and contrasts that came up as I finished watching both films. So nonetheless, this is a double feature analysis on Django Unchained and 12 Years a Slave. Here I will summarize and discuss about theRead More12 Years a Slave and Fruitvale Station Essay1389 Words   |  6 Pagesjustice to be truthful. Through analysis of present day motion pictures that stem from American history such as â€Å"12 Years A Slave† and â€Å"Fruitvale Station† reveals some of the legal and ethical concerns that are prominent today can be revealed: Historically law has been altered but the integrity of the law still remains in question. Literature Review Let’s start with some of the issues that were brought about in the film â€Å"12 Years A Slave†. After viewing the movie twice, not only did it show thatRead MoreThe Effect Of Sound On A Film Scene1353 Words   |  6 Pagesof the scene. Music in a film creates a point of experience for the spectator. Patterns of tension and release exemplified by the sound of the scene provide a sense of organization, connection and meaning to the audience. In my short clip from 12 years a Slave I have used music as a part of cinematic diagesis as well as a means of communication to my audience the psychological drama of the narrative at the subconscious level. Sound in a scene can communicate meaning and give life to a moving image