12 Years A Slave’s Oscar Win Leads To Theater Revival Of The Film; Victory Also Marks Black Community’s Surge In Film Industry

Historical drama film 12 Years A Slave was big in last night's 86th Academy Awards. The movie is "an adaptation of the 1853 memoir of the same name by Solomon Northup, a New York State-born free African American man who was kidnapped in Washington, D.C., in 1841 and sold into slavery."

"12 Years" took home the Best Picture, Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Lupita Nyong'o, and Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) for John Ridley. The film was first released on theaters on August 30 last year. Since then, it became the talk of the town. Because of this success, according to reports, the film will be releasing the movie again on theaters, giving others the chance to see what made it an Oscar sensation.

The Hollywood Reporter wrote:

Steve McQueen's slavery drama, which also debuts March 4 on DVD, could be playing more than 1,000 U.S. theaters Friday; overseas, the film is a sensation, grossing $90 million to date for a world total of $140.2 million.

Hoping to transform its Oscar best picture victory into additional box office gold, 12 Years a Slave will make a major expansion in U.S. theaters this Friday, even though Steve McQueen's slavery drama comes out on DVD Tuesday.

Aside from re-showing on theaters, another thing that 12 Years A Slave awaken is people's view on African-American films and artists. It was not just another Oscar victory for a film. Steve McQueen's piece is a milestone for the African/African American race. 12 Years A Slave is the first ever African-American directed film to win the Academy Awards' Best Picture.

"Everyone deserves not just to survive but to live. This is the most important legacy of Solomon Northup," said McQueen in his acceptance speech.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, who played Solomon Northup in the film, didn't win the Best Actor Award as he was edged by Matthew McConaughey or Dallas Buyers Club. Still, his performance never went to waste as he has been recognized in more than 30 award giving bodies all over the globe. So far, there only four black Oscar lead actor winners: (Sidney Poitier, 1963, Denzel Washington, 2001, Jamie Foxx, 2004, and Forest Whitaker, 2006), and only one best actress winner (Halle Berry, 2001).