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12 Years a Slave - One of the most talked-about movies of the year finally came to theaters this week, and the buzz is reaching a fever pitch. 12 Years a Slave, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as a free man kidnapped and enslaved in the antebellum South, is already on the fast track for the Academy Awards and could earn director Steve McQueen a historic Best Director win (it would be the first time ever for a Black filmmaker). See what celebs and other tastemakers are saying about the film.

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John Legend, @johnlegend - Tweet: "Putting the final touches on the 12 Years a Slave soundtrack. Film is incredible. And I'm very happy with the soundtrack. coming soon..."  (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for "bethenny")

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Laz Alonso, @lazofficial - Tweet: "So I saw #12yearsaslave last night. I was emotionally devastated after the film. Couldn't even stay 4 the Q&A. I thought about it all night..." (Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AdColor)

Photo By Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AdColor

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Sherri Shepherd, @SherriEShepherd - Tweet: "Please take your family, your friends to see 12 Years as a Slave (be aware re kids… very violent whipping scenes)..."(Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)

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Mehcad Brooks, @MehcadBrooks - Tweet: "Saw #12YearsASlave must see. Chewy is amazing...as is Fassbender and Alfre Woodard. #Oscars #TrueStory"  (Photo: David Becker/Getty Images)

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Debra Lee, @IamDebraLee - Tweet: "Saw this last night. INCREDIBLE movie!!" (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

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Reverend Al Sharpton, @TheRevAl - Tweet: "I am at a screening of 12 Years a Slave. It is a must see. Wow."  (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for The Walter Kaitz Foundation)

Photo By Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for The Walter Kaitz Foundation

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Touré, @Toure - Tweet: "I loved Django Unchained but it was stylish & caricaturish. 12 Years a Slave is gripping & as serious as a heart attack. #Unforgettable." (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Safe Horizon)

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Tony Okungbowa, @TONYOK - Tweet: "Off to see 12 Years a Slave at DGA. This film will win at least 1 Oscar! Yeah, I said it. Congrats to my friend Chiwetel Ejiofor." (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for MOCA)

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Anika Noni Rose, @AnikaNoniRose - Tweet: "I encourage every American interested in truths of the founding of this country to go see #12YearsASlave this weekend!! #Phenomenal." (Photo: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Variety)

Photo By Photo: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Variety

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J. Alexander, @Miss_JAlexander - Tweet: "Wow The Film 12 Years a Slave a Must See Do I smell an #Oscar Buzz for the Film..?"  (Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

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Michaela Angela Davis, @MichaelaAngelaD - Tweet: "#12YearsASlave is not the film to be ambivalent about. you must experience it."  (Photo: Paul A. Hebert/Getty Images for BET)

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Kevin Powell, @kevin_powell - Tweet: "The most incredible film I have ever seen in my life about American slavery." (Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images

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Jesse Williams, @iJesseWilliams - Tweet: "And I say again, #12YearsASlave is among the most important films u'll see. Also happens to be a masterpiece. Likely #AwardsSeason sweep..." (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company)

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Michael Moore, @MMFlint - Tweet: "Of course it took a (Black) British director & lead actors from UK, Germany/Ireland & Kenya to tell us our own g***** story."

Photo By Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

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Malcolm D. Lee, @malcolmdlee - Tweet: "I saw 12 Years a Slave today and I cannot shake what I saw. The movie gets into you very SOUL."

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Bevy Smith, @bevysmith - Tweet: "12 Years a Slave shows a life of relentless back breaking work & torture for slaves! The violence isn't salacious or executed for shock!" (Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Range Rover)

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DeVon Franklin @DeVonFranklin - Tweet: "Just saw the movie 12 YEARS A SLAVE...powerful beyond words..." (Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for TV One)