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It has been a monumental year for Black film. From “Fruitvale Station” to “Lee Daniel’s The Butler” and now “12 Years A Slave,” the Academy Awards will have plenty of color to paint their prestigious award ceremony. The three films have a pivotal thing in common: black men at the helm of the reels. Directed by Steve McQueen,  “12 Years a Slave” premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 30, 2013 and generated Oscar buzz before the credits even ran.

Based on the 1853 memoir of Solomon Northup, who was born free but later kidnapped and sold into slavery,  “12 Years A Slave” has been called as a “a captivating, harrowing historical horror show.” Well when was slavery not such?

McQueen transforms Northup’s tale into a vicious and controversial film that is poised to live in the depths of the soul of whoever watches. Critics have already hailed actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, who plays Northup, for his portrayal of the character, that includes violent beatings that break his mind, body and soul.

“12 Years A Slave” stars Brad Pitt, Alfre Woodard, Quvenzhané Wallis and hits theaters October 18, 2013. In the wake of 2012’s “Django Unchained,” can you endure another slave film? Watch the trailer and tell us what you think.

MUST READ: The Butler’ Is Everything ‘The Help’ Wanted To Be [REVIEW]

MUST READ: ‘Fruitvale Station’ Reveals The Strained Relationship Between Police & Men Of Color [OPINION]

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For 2024’s iteration of MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful’s annual series Women to Know, we knew we wanted to celebrate the people who help make the joys of film and television possible. To create art is to create magic. This year, we spotlight Hollywood Executive’s changing the face of cinema.