12 Years a Slave (2013)

In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. [imdb]

Nominated for 9 Oscars:

Best Picture (WINNER)
Best Director: Steve McQueen
Best Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Best Supporting Actor: Michael Fassbender
Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong'o (WINNER)
Best Adapted Screenplay (WINNER)
Best Editing
Best Production Design
Best Costume Design

Not an easy film to sit through, but I knew McQueen was a good director, and I expected great performances - which is exactly what we got. This is a great film, not a pleasant one, but a really well-made film. I salute the three main performances: Chiwetel is amazing and carries the film with great dignity, Lupita is a star and Fassbender is best in show, with a terrific performance for the ages. 

The screenplay is not perfect, but it will do. There are so many memorable scenes in it that make it a haunting experience, without any dull moments.

My rating for the film: 8.5/10.