Fox Searchlight has announced that the official release for director Steve McQueen’s (Shame) upcoming 12 Years A Slave is slated to premiere at the New York Film Festival on October 8.
Despite having sneak previews at Toronto and the Telluride, Filum Festival, Deadline is reporting that the new harrowing historical drama starring Chiwetel Ejiofor will have its premiere at the 51st NYFF.
Based on a true story, 12 Years a Slave is to chronicle the harrowing life of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man in Upstate New York who is abducted and sold in chains to a malevolent owner (Michael Fassbender). The movie will tell of his 12-year struggle for freedom and dignity, as well as the surprise encounter of a Canadian abolitionist played by Brad Pitt.
The film’s cast also includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Garrett Dillahunt, Sarah Paulson and Michael Kenneth Williams.
12 Years A Slave has its official U.S. release date on October 18.