Fox Searchlight has released a new behind-the-scenes featurette for director Steve McQueen’s immensely powerful drama 12 Years a Slave, this time focusing on the film’s fantastic ensemble cast. Led by a truly phenomenal lead performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor as a free man who was kidnapped and forced into slavery for over a decade, the film boasts a wide range of actors that includes Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfre Woodard, Brad Pitt, Sarah Paulson, Adepero Oduye, Michael K. Williams, Paul Giamatti, Paul Dano, Scoot McNairy, and newcomer Lupita Nyong’O. This featurette provides a nice overview of the performances and interviews with some of the cast members about the difficult material, and having seen the film I’ll admit I still get choked up seeing snippets of some of these scenes. You’ll also get a preview of Hans Zimmer‘s score in this featurette as well. The film expands wider this weekend and next weekend, and I implore everyone to go out and see it. Take your friends, go to a quiet bar afterwards, and have a long conversation over a pint or two.

Hit the jump to watch the new featurette and click here to read Matt’s review of the film from TIFF. 12 Years a Slave is now playing in select theaters.

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Here’s the official synopsis for 12 Years a Slave: