MovieChat Forums > Belle (2014) Discussion > 12 years a slave connection

12 years a slave connection

posted 11 years ago by Krishthegod
11 replies | jump to latest

Funny, i would say that this is the British response to 12 Years a Slave, except British people were actually involved in the writing, acting and directing of 12 years. But, judging by the trailer, this obviously looks lighter in tone, and judging that i saw the trailer for it right in front of 12 Years a Slave. Now, im not necessarily implying that it should be as dark and unrelentlessly unoptimistic as 12 years, but at the same time i do hope its not some light fluffy drama that just happens to be about race. From the looks of it, it looks like the marketing people wanted to wait about 6-7 months to release this after 12 years: not necessarily long after for people to forget 12 years(which i didnt, *shudders), but at the same time, not soon enough to draw the quick comparisons.

[–] Keelai 11 years ago

This movie isn't about slavery. It appears to be more of a romance movie. Obviously there is the issue of race, but I don't see any real connection to "12 Years a Slave."

I really want to see historical movies starring Black people in roles other than as slaves because there are so many stories not being told. Not all black people were slaves. There were inventors, cowboys, scientists, sheriffs, business people and yes, aristocrats like this woman.

[–] bbelljnr 11 years ago

Yes. Exactly. I saw it yesterday. It's not about slaves really. It's the story of a mulatto growing up in aristocracy and dealing with being accepted within ranks because of her color even though she was probably one of the highest ranked people in the movie. Slavery is mentioned and there is a big case about it, but it is never displayed or used as a distraction from the underlying love story in the movie.

[–] randommovies2002 11 years ago

Slavery is mentioned and there is a big case about it

That's putting it lightly. The "big case" (if I'm not mistaken) is The Mansfield Decision.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Murray,_1st_Earl_of_Mansfield#Som ersett.27s_Case

[–] marbleann 11 years ago

Yes it is a big aspect if this is the person I think it is. She influenced some big man in government about Britain's involvement in slave trading. I never saw the movie. But I believe this is the same person.

[–] mikeyflatley 11 years ago

its totally bout slavery...not sure wat these ppl r watchin

hole purpose is 2 not treat ppl as property bec they were insurin them as property or goodz

its bout a court case that help start 2 peel away at slavery and so yeh, mo intelmulectual and not so much brutal. not every1 wanna watch torture porn - daz wat 12 yrz is - torture porn. revolutionz can sometimez ignite subtlely as in dis movie.

Werd 2 ur mudda, bruddafcker

[–] HaroldZoidberg 11 years ago

It's totally about slavery. I am not sure what these people are watching.

The whole purpose is to not treat people as property, because they were insuring them as property or goods.

It's about a court case that helped to start to peel away at slavery. Therefore, it was more intellectual and not so brutal. Not everyone wants to watch torture porn, and that's what 12 Years a Slave is. Revolutions can sometimes ignite subtly as in this movie.

[–] gds555 11 years ago

Belle a "response" to 12 Years a Slave? Well, the first public screening of 12 Years a Slave was on August 30th, 2013 (at the Telluride [Colorado] Film Festival). And the first public screening of Belle was on September 8th, 2013 (at the Toronto International Film Festival). So I suppose you think a movie like Belle can be whipped up in nine days?

[–] Krishthegod 11 years ago

I NEVER implied that this was actually made in response to 12 years, or that it was made in a short time(I'm not freaking stupid). All I said was that maybe after the emotional whiplash that was 12 years a slave, the marketing people and studios waited a couple of months for the hubbub to slowly(but not completely) fade a little. I know both movies have different agendas and different takes on bigotry and race, and I'm okay with that. I am.

[–] Ithilfaen 11 years ago

I know both movies have different agendas and different takes on bigotry and race, and I'm okay with that. I am.

In fact, both movies are about more than bigotry and race. They are about the value of life. Not in a preachy or self righteous way but in the way we evaluate each other.

Belle also adds to the reflection about race, issues of class and women in the high society (or out of it, as it stands, with Belle's mother) and makes interesting parallels between the way high born women were traded for position and money or vice versa, and the slave trade in that time.

They're also both based on actual stories so they are very different in tone, sure, but it would be a mistake to dismiss Belle as some romance story. The "romance" aspect of the story is only there to create a situation that makes the protagonist reevaluate the value of her own life and her position.

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

[–] MariMcCabe 9 years ago

And Steve McQueen is also British so...lol.

[–] benman46 11 years ago

No connection whatsoever.