’12 Years A Slave’ Director Says He Was Told “A Movie With Black Leads Wouldn’t Make Any Money”

Back in 2013, the biographical period-piece, 12 Years a Slave, was released as an adaptation of the 1853 slave memoir of the same name. The film followed the triumphant story of a New York State-born free man who was kidnapped and sold to slavery in the South.

Directed by Steve McQueen, the film grossed over $187 million on a $22 million budget and won Best Picture at the Oscars.

Though the film helped McQueen become the first black British producer and director ever to win the prestigious award, he said it was first met with much resistance.

“Everyone was telling me ‘no,’ and I didn’t take any notice, just like before,” McQueen explained in an interview with The Big Issue. “I was told a movie with black leads wouldn’t make any money internationally, especially one about slavery – and that was by someone supportive of the movie!”

“That picture changed a lot,” McQueen added of the success of his film. “I’m very grateful. The picture itself won Best Picture, and I’m extremely proud of it, but it’s what came after that I’m especially proud of.”

“It was a difficult film to make. Lupita Nyong’o, Michael Fassbender, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sarah Paulson – all these people risked a lot,” he said, adding, “Sometimes you have to ruffle feathers. I think about my art and my movies, and to me, it’s all about taking risks. You’ve got to throw yourself a curveball and experiment.”