12 Years A Slave has won the best film Oscar at the 86th Academy Awards, in a ceremony dominated by the British-made film Gravity.
Directed by Turner Prize-winning artist Steve McQueen, 12 Years A Slave received three Oscars in total, with the widely-tipped Lupita Nyong’o picking up best supporting actress and John Ridley getting the best adapted screenplay award. The film tells the story of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was sold into slavery, and is based on his 1853 memoir.
McQueen was beaten to the best director award by Gravity director Alfonso Cuaron, whose film won seven awards on the night.
12 Years A Slave was produced by Brad Pitt (who also has a role in the film), and the Hollywood star joined McQueen on stage to pick up the best film award. Quoting from the film, on accepting the award McQueen said: “everyone deserves not just to survive but to live.” He also dedicated the award to the “21 million people who still endure slavery”.
McQueen’s film was nominated for nine Oscars. In January, 12 Years A Slave won a Golden Globe for best film and last month beat Gravity, American Hustle, Philomena and Captain Phillips to pick up the best picture award at the BAFTAs.
