*12 Years a Slave* is a 2013 historical drama directed by Steve McQueen, based on the real-life memoir of Solomon Northup. Set in the 1840s, it tells the harrowing story of Northup (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free Black man from New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the American South. Over twelve years, he endures unimaginable hardships and cruelty, struggling to survive while holding onto hope of reclaiming his freedom. The film, acclaimed for its unflinching portrayal of slavery, won the Academy Award for Best Picture and features powerful performances from Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o, and Benedict Cumberbatch.