'12 Years a Slave''s Solomon Northup's Great-grandchildren Praise Cast and Crew

Two descendants of Solomon Northup, the man who wrote the memoir upon which the film 12 Years a Slave is based, have shown up at a special screening of the film that was attended by the film's director Steve McQueenand cast members Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyngo'o, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatchand Sarah Paulson.

“You were simply amazing. Amazing,” Michelle, Solomon Northup's Great-granddaughter said to Ejiofor, who plays Northup in the film. Michelle and a visibly tearful Milan, her sister, stayed to take photos with the entire cast, who thanked them effusively for their kind words.

Michelle continued to praise the director and cast, saying the film “allowed me the opportunity to see, hear, feel and become immersed in my great-great-great grandfather’s struggle. Steve McQueen took the autobiography, gave it lifeblood and the actors used their incredible talent to give it a heart, a soul, a pulse, that I felt made the film genuinely authentic.”

After winning the best film title at the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs, 12 Years a Slave awaits awaits the Oscars tonight, where it is nominated for several awards, including best picture.