Watch Chiwetel Ejiofor Become Solomon Northup In Latest ’12 Years A Slave’ Featurette

HUNGER and SHAME director Steve McQueen’s harrowing, historical drama 12 YEARS A SLAVE is currently the early frontrunner for the upcoming award season. The star-studded biopic centres on the tragic and turbulent time in the life Solomon Northup, the well-educated, black New York-born husband and father who was brutally beaten in a back alley and sold into slavery during the 1850s. Northup went on to write his biography, which told of this harrowing ordeal and the time apart from his loved ones.

Chiwetel Ejiofor is said to be outstanding as the unfortunate Northup and this latest featurette has a focus on the actor taking on the acclaimed and controversial role.

12 YEARS A SLAVE co-stars Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Garret Dillahunt, Paul Giamatti, Scoot McNairy, Lupita Nyong’o, Adepero Oduye, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Michael Kenneth Williams and Alfre Woodard. It’s released in the US on the 18th October and a UK date of the 24th January 2014.

Source: Deadline