When you hear the name Steve McQueen, many heads are turned, but this director is taking the film industry by controversial force. In his latest film 12 Years a Slave due for release in October, he follows a slave (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) who runs away from his slave master (Michael Fassbender). McQueen isn't afraid to tackle controversial topics. In his first film Hunger director McQueen teamed up with Michael Fassbender to create a visceral look at the 1981 Irish hunger strike. Two years later McQueen pairs up once again with Fassbender to create a much talked about film about a man dealing with a sex addiction, Shame . Both topics stirred debate and created a lot of buzz in the media. McQueen is already rumored to get a nomination this coming award season for 12 Years a Slave , along with the film being a sure nod for best picture.
Steve McQueen is ready to tackle any topic that most directors and studios generally shy away from. McQueen told Indie Wire "Viewers have had black history on their minds a lot lately, I really think it's because there's a black president now," he said. "Also, with the unfortunate killing of Trayvon Martin and the conversations surrounding the Voting Rights Act, people are ready for something like this." With very few films that deal with such a weighty topic, 12 years a Slave is going to be hard hitting and effective, which is what we've come to expect from McQueen.
Another face has been keeping busy with this project, and that's none other than Brad Pitt. His Plan B production company has helped finance most of 12 Years a Slave . According to LA Times Pitt and production company did everything they could to keep McQueen's vision alive. That meant raising most of the $22 million budget for 35 production days. Pitt even has a minor role in the film, a mentor or threshold guardian to Fassbender's character. Pitt believes in McQueen's vision and sees the importance of this movie. Be sure to catch this film when it hits theaters October 18.
Photo Courtesy of EPK