So harrowing and intense is Chiwetel Ejiofor's performance as a free man kidnapped and sold into slavery in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave, it's easy to overlook the fact that Michael Fassbender had an equally difficult challenge in playing slave owner Edwin Epps in the antebellum drama. 
The German actor, who is on his second collaboration with McQueen (they worked together on the 2011 film Shame), talks to us about crossing to the dark side for the film, what he would tell his character and in what moments of his life he felt he had to fight for his own soul. 
Plus, Fassbender heaps praise on his director McQueen, calling him a "great leader" who "nurtured and nourished" his crew. 
Watch our exclusive interview with Michael Fassbender below, and see 12 Years a Slave in theaters October 18.

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