12 Years a Slave Hits Theaters December 27, 2013

On the heels of the news that Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave probably won’t be ready for Cannes, Fox Searchlight just issued a press release announcing its release date of December 27.  The pic stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Alfre Woodard, Paul Giamatti,  Lupita Nyong’o and tells the story of  “one man’s fight for survival and freedom.  In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.  Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by (Fassbender), as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity.  In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Pitt) will forever alter his life.  The screenplay is by John Ridley and producers are Pitt, McQueen, Jeremy Kleiner, Bill Pohlad, Arnon Milchan and Anthony Katagas.  

To my mind, McQueen is one of the best directors working today – though it appears the industry in Hollywood has yet to catch on.   We are very excited for this film, needless to say.