Powerful Piece of Cinema, but Somewhat Irresponsbile

Rating: 8/10 (25 January 2014)

No-one who watches this film can help but be moved by the plight of the protagonist, as well as his fellow slaves. The mental, emotional and physical trauma of life as a slave is clearly evident, and well acted by the cast. This is a very well-made film, complete with the soundtrack of the hot, sticky, insect-infested southern States, which draws you further into the scene.
What disturbed me most about this film, aside from the fact that it is based upon a true story, is how this movie dredges up old hatreds, pains and sufferings that are best left in the past, and allowed to heal. I cannot help but think that this movie was engineered to win Academy Awards - which it certainly will do. However, film-makers do have a responsibility to ensure their work does not cause harm, whether directly or implied. What this film does is inflame anger and hatred in a new generation of African-Americans where it did not exist before, thereby carrying forward divisive and destructive feelings for years to come.
In summary: An excellent movie, but the single-minded pursuit of Oscar glory may have blinded the Producers/Director to the negative effect it will have, and thus undoing the hard work of many since slavery was abolished; e.g. reversing the uplifting and uniting feelings brought by films such as Spielberg's 'Lincoln'.