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August 22, 2021 85 mins

On this episode, we discuss the eighty-sixth Best Picture Winner: “12 YEARS A SLAVE.”

"12 Years a Slave" is a biographical period-drama adaptation of the 1853 slave memoir "Twelve Years a Slave" by Solomon Northup. In the years before the Civil War, Solomon Northup, 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, Edwin Epps, 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.  Directed by Steve McQueen, the film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup, Michael Fassbender as Edwin Epps, Sarah Paulson as Mistress Epps, Lupita Nyong'o as Patsey, Paul Dano as Tibeats, Benedict Cumberbatch as Ford and Brad Pitt as Bass.

Here on The Envelope, we discuss & review every Best Picture Winner in the Academy Awards History. 

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