’12 Years a Slave’ by Steve McQueen, Essay Example

The film ’12 years a slave’ by Steve McQueen was written by Solomon Northup and directed by Steve McQueen. Solomon Northup (1807-1857) was an American farmer, laborer, and musician whose drive to write the script was motivated by his kidnapping and being sold into slavery. Through this, he used his real-life experiences as the approach in delivering the message to his audience. Through narration, he exploits every moment he was a captive and the painful experiences he had to persevere as a slave. Steve McQueen as the director, has a historical background that features simplicity as his theme, as depicted in ’12 years a slave. This film created a huge uproar, especially with the sad story behind how African-Americans suffered under their oppressors. Both Steve and Solomon can be African-centered as their movie focused on African-Americans’ well-being and urged the unity of blacks and whites. Focusing on McQueen’s previous works such as ‘Widows,’ where the characters are primarily Africans who show strength and independence in maneuvering after their husbands’ death.

The film’s release was in August 2013, but its shooting time is not indicated for reasons not understandable. Therefore, there is no accuracy on the exact time it was shot. Although this happens, it can be said that this film was shot in relevance with the African worldview of slavery during the pre-colonial era. It depicted the agency in which it was presented and by its characters. Since it is based on a real-life story, the characters are perceived as actual people and actual Africans who are being demeaned, looked down on, and oppressed by the Europeans because of their skin color. These characters are entertaining the general society, who still perceive black people as less human in the community. It connects with them in trying to unite humanity through equity and social justice.

The film has significantly and sadly taken us back to the era of slavery when blacks were oppressed and less valued. They were considered items of value only at the market and would be treated like animals or objects. Therefore, it depicts a cry for liberation for African people, a factor that is still being fought for in the contemporary world. The sense of freedom shows that Africans have their share to tell in as much as African story is being told. There is a historical background behind slavery and Africans before colonization and oppression by the Europeans, which connects these films with more real happenings in the past and provides agency, not only for the characters but also for its audience.

In the counterargument, it is depicted in the film that the Europeans felt satisfaction in harboring the slaves in their homes to offer them forced services. It is also argued that Africans were considered less human back then and would be treated in whichever way their masters felt was right. The truth is, Africans were and are much of humans just as the Europeans, and they will never be any less. The world has been liberal throughout time, but racial differences have corrupted the world, as written by Solomon. African people are depicted as less deserving and this negativity, just as in the film is being experienced in the contemporary world today. As felt in the movie, the opposition depicts the slaves doing their best to fight for their rights despite the mistreatment and inequality. They are opposing how their oppressors are handling them to the extent of quoting the Bible about fairness. In as much as they are trying to fight back and be strong, they have been stereotyped to be less worthy and less deserving of better treatment.

By basing the film on the transcending eurocentrism in occupation, it is evident that from its definition, the Africans were being forced to follow western civilization, which was not fair to them. They were struggling to feel equal, but they were oppressed despised. The oppressors do not know how valuable Africans can be and how thoughtful they are when treated right and considered comparable. They do not understand the African culture and heritage, thus the reason behind their lack of inclusivity in their visions for the free world. They do not see beyond race, and they do not understand the importance of embracing ethics, equity, and social justice, because all they see is black versus white.

Therefore, this film does not have a specific audience as it advocates for inclusivity, respect, unity, ethics, equity, and social justice. It encourages all types of people from all ethnic backgrounds to love and support each other despite their differences. It represents all elements of inequality, disrespect, lack of love, unity, and humanity in society. It educates the community that there comes to light through suffering, there comes life, and there is always hope, a force that every political stance should picture in leadership. Finally, politically it opens elements of what the society is and has been going through under the pressure of politics and imperfect justice in the system.