Scenes from ’12 Years a Slave’

The drama is based on the 1853 autobiography “Twelve Years a Slave” by Solomon Northup (Jaap Buitendijk / Associated Press)

Oct. 16, 2013 11:42 AM PT

Old bottles hang in a tree, placed there for spiritual reasons. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Sarah Paulson, left, and Lupita Nyong’o star in the film. (Francois Duhamel / Associated Press)

Steve McQueen (“Shame”) directed the film, some of which was shot at a family plantation near New Orleans. (Francois Duhamel / Associated Press)

Benedict Cumberbatch, left, and Chiwetel Ejiofor in a scene from “12 Years a Slave.” (Jaap Buitendijk / Associated Press)

Michael Fassbender, left, Lupita Nyong’o and Chiwetel Ejiofor. (Francois Duhamel / Associated Press)