Star-studded drama brings the real story of Solomon Northrup to life

Jul 16, 2013 12:57 GMT  ·  By

One movie to look forward to, especially if you’re into “based on true events” type of releases, is “12 Years a Slave,” a drama directed by Steve McQueen (“Hunger,” “Shame”) and produced by Brad Pitt’s Plan B.

Pitt also stars in the film, as the first theatrical trailer embedded above will confirm.

The story is that of Solomon Northrup (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man who was tricked, kidnapped, and sold into slavery.

He spent 12 years of his life trying to get back to his family and, of course, become a free man again.

The impressive cast also includes Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, Paul Dano, Quvenzhane Wallis, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Garret Dillahunt, and everything in this trailer is pure Oscar bait.

“12 Years a Slave” will open at the Venice Film Festival in December.