Golden Globes 2014: '12 Years a Slave' named best picture, drama

Golden Globes 2014: ’12 Years a Slave’ named best picture, drama

Chiwetel Ejiofor, center, in a scene from "12 Years a Slave."

By Rebecca Keegan

Jan. 12, 2014 8:09 PM PT

“12 Years a Slave” was named best motion picture, drama at the Golden Globes on Sunday night, beating out “Captain Phillips,” “Gravity,” “Philomena” and “Rush.”

Director Steve McQueen’s historical biopic of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free man abducted and sold into slavery, “12 Years a Slave” has long been considered a front-runner in the best picture Oscar race.

The Golden Globes are chosen by the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn., a group of about 90 L.A.-based entertainment journalists who often honor films with an international pedigree or A-list movie stars.

Though the tastes of the HFPA often differ from Academy Awards voters, a win at the ceremony can boost a movie’s chances in awards season.

The Oscar nominations will be announced Jan. 16, and the Academy Awards will take place on March 2.

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Rebecca Keegan

Former staff writer Rebecca Keegan covered film at the Los Angeles Times until 2016 and is the author of “The Futurist: The Life and Films of James Cameron.” Prior to joining The Times, she was the Hollywood correspondent for Time magazine. A native of New York State, she graduated from Northwestern University.