12 Years a Slave (Steve McQueen, 2013)

Now decisively having made the transition from art to directing, McQueen's third film is every bit as truthful, unhistrionic and harrowing as Hunger and Shame were. In many ways even more so, since we're dealing not only with a true story but one that illustrates a dark historical era that still resonates to this day. Chiwetel Ejiofor, as Solomon Northup, who was abducted from life as a free man in the North and pressed to work on estates in the South, puts in a performance which contains both gravitas and control of nuance, utterly convincing as Northup learns to resist passively, with a mixture of pragmatism and indignation. The supporting cast from slaves to white plantation owners are impressively chosen too. With repeated scenes of abuse, it's not a comfortable experience for the audience, even if we know the light at the end of the tunnel, but then how could it be when you find out that with this McQueen became the first black director or producer ever to win the Best Picture Oscar?

8/10