Today, we live in America, a place with freedom, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Look back to 200 years ago, America was differently. The people are treated as a property of the owner, rich, and planters. They can be bought and sold from one place to another, from one owner to other. Their lives are dependent. Try to imagine how do slave live? You would know the answer and acknowledge more about slavery after you watch the movie 12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup.
12 Years a Slave is historical drama movie, base on true story, and an adaptation of slave narrative, Solomon Northup, a free African-American men who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. He treated as a slave and work in the plantation for twelve years before his release. The movie reflect slaves life in the colonial era. I just learned about slaves in the history class, about the facts, and where they come from. However, after I watch this movie, I considered differently. I cannot believe what I have seen. I feel pity for them. Their lives are extremely miserable. They were tortured and got beat ruthlessly whenever the owner want, and no one care about them. Some slave families were separated and sold for different owner, no exception. The children had to leave their parent and never see them again, some of them were lost. I know the feeling of the parent lost their children, I can see their miserable feeling when they are crying and begging the trader. .
The movie portrayed perfectly the two character, Solomon Northup and Patsey. Solomon, who was free black men in Northern country. He was well educated person and he know how to play violin, not like the other black. At that time, he treated as a middle class and respected by everyone. He had a family with two children. Suddenly, Solomon kidnapped and sold into slave; his life had change. Later, he sold to Virginia and treated as slave. Many times he tried to prove that he was illegally free black, but nobody believe him.
