This episode of The Cinamerican Dream takes on a slightly different format as I take advantage of the unique circumstances at home to convince my sister to watch 12 Years a Slave, a cinematic and award-winning masterpiece. This movie focuses on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free African-American man who was living with his family in New York in the 1840s, when he was kidnapped and sold into slavery. The movie follows Northup’s struggle to survive, maintain his dignity, and regain his freedom as he suffers under different masters and confronts the horrors of slavery. In this episode, we talk about the unflinching and realistic depiction of violence and brutality in the film, as well as how this film was shaped by the current events of its time. We also discuss how the movie has a crucial message and call-to-action about accepting and apologizing for past wrongs, and how it’s especially important to remember the lasting implications of the U.S.’s less-than-perfect past in today’s increasingly tense political climate. Tune in for a candid conversation about a fantastic movie, and I hope it convinces you to watch 12 Years a Slave as well–because it’s definitely a movie worth watching.
