The Story Behind '12 Years a Slave'

How does a free man survive when he is thrown into slavery? That's the question the new film from Shame director Steve McQueen asks with the incredible true story of Solomon Northup (played by Inside Man star Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free man who was double-crossed and sold into slavery in the pre-Civil War era South. Get a first look behind the scenes!

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In theaters October 18, 12 Years a Slave follows the dramatic turn of events experienced by Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, who is duped by a pair of con men into a job performing music, only to be drugged, abducted and sold into slavery. As he struggles to adjust to his horrific plight, he must not only manage to stay alive, but to retain his dignity.

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12 Years a Slave features an all-star cast including Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Fassbender, Alfre Woodard, Paul Dano, Garret Dillahunt, Paul Giamatti, Scoot McNairy, Lupita Nyong’o, Adepero Oduye, Sarah Paulson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Chris Chalk, Taran Killam and Bill Camp.