12 YEARS A SLAVE First of all, Ive been telling folk for the last 10 years that Chiwetel Ejiofor is one of the most gifted actors currently walking the planet. I first clocked my man in AMISTAD as the translator for Sengbe (I know the white people call him Cinque but in the African tradition its Sengbe). Every time Chewy hits the screen, its an acting masterclass. Steve McQueen (the director)has an extraordinary eye and vision. So these 2 bothers along with John Ridley (the writer, whom some of his stuff I really like) were bound to produce something of value and importance in the artistic lane alone. Coupled with that is McQueen and Chewys view of black folk and the foolish barriers others try to place between us to separate that which is naturally connected. In a press conference a journalist as how McQueen processed the American Slave Trade from a British prospective. McQueen let the journalist know that he didnt subscribe to artificial divisions some like to make between black folk across the globe. To him, its all the same struggle and story the world over. Chewy, Alfre Woodard (also brilliant in the film), and John Ridley co-signed that sentiment which I have always subscribed to. If youre a brotha, youre a brotha and also part of the larger human family as well. And the family needs to deal with the uncensored truth of slavery in order to begin healing and spiritual expansion. So many black folk as well as white folk would prefer not to deal honestly with the truth that has affected our existence for centuries. I read the original narrative when I was in elementary school and was moved by it then. Ive since taught it in my third and fourth grade classes. On so many levels this is the best film Ive seen this year. There is nothing that compares to it. THE BUTLER, DJANGO etc. are in a different genre so you put these films side by side. They are separate conversations. 12 Years in flawlessly cast. Michael Fasbender, Sarah Paulson, Paul Dano, Brad Pitt, Michael Kenneth Williams, my girl Nyonge...incredible work. Brad Pitt a producer with impeccable taste. I have more to say but these things I had to get out first.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 22:33:09 +0000
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