In acknowledgement of Black History Month, the Capitol Film Society is presenting the sobering epic film 12 Years A Slave (2013). In 2014, 12 Years a Slave became the first film directed and produced by a black filmmaker (Steve McQueen) and also the first to be written by an African-American (John Ridley) to win the Academy Award for Best Motion Picture of the Year.

Rotten Tomatoes - Critics Consensus:
"It's far from comfortable viewing, but 12 Years a Slave's unflinchingly brutal look at American slavery is also brilliant -- and quite possibly essential -- cinema."

Tomatometer - 95%

IMDb - 8.1/10 stars

Synopsis
Based on an incredible true story of one man's fight for survival and freedom. In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender), he also finds unexpected kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain some of his dignity. Then in the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a chance meeting with an abolitionist from Canada changes Solomon's life forever.

MPAA Rating: Rated R for violence/cruelty, some nudity and brief sexuality.
MPA Canada: 14A
Running Time: 2 hours 14 mins