Mark Kermode has tipped 12 Years a Slave for success over the coming awards season.
The BBC 5 Live film critic told Digital Spy that Steve McQueen's slavery drama, which earned 10 BAFTA Film Award nominations this morning, could be the film to beat at the BAFTAs and Academy Awards.
Kermode called 12 Years a Slave "extraordinary", praising supporting star Lupita Nyong'o and director McQueen.
"He's an artist working in film who understands what cinema is about," he said.
"And you have that wonderful central performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong'o. I hadn't seen her before and you watch that performance in 12 Years a Slave and it's so central.
"It's such a difficult role. She does it so perfectly."
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Kermode also shared his thoughts on the films leading the BAFTA nominations - Gravity and American Hustle - and discussed the "open race" of this year's awards season.
The BAFTA Film Awards will take place on Sunday, February 16 at London's Royal Opera House.
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Movies Editor
Simon has worked as a journalist for more than a decade, writing on staff and freelance for Hearst, Dennis, Future and Autovia titles before joining Cision in 2022.
