Further proof this year's awards season is on something akin to performance enhancing drugs? Michael Cieply's piece in the New York Times about the historical accuracy of presumed Best Picture front-runner "12 Years A Slave," a film that doesn't even arrive in theaters for another three weeks.


According to Cieply, who spoke with historians and "12 Years A Slave" screenwriter John Ridley for the report, no one goes so far as to doubt the film's story -- which focuses on Solomon Northup, a free New Yorker who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841 -- but rather how much of Northup's ensuing memoir was enhanced for maximum impact. From Cieply's piece:


For decades, however, scholars have been trying to untangle the literal truth of Mr. Northup's account from the conventions of the antislavery literary genre.

The difficulties are detailed in “The Slave’s Narrative,” a compilation of essays that was published by the Oxford University Press in 1985, and edited by Charles T. Davis and Henry Louis Gates Jr. (Mr. Gates is now credited as a consultant to the film, and he edited a recent edition of “Twelve Years a Slave.”)


“When the abolitionists invited an ex-slave to tell his story of experience in slavery to an antislavery convention, and when they subsequently sponsored the appearance of that story in print, they had certain clear expectations, well understood by themselves and well understood by the ex-slave, too,” wrote one scholar, James Olney.



Capturing the expectations of the story was on director Steve McQueen's mind as well. After the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, McQueen told Film.com that he had to restructure the book's layout, because he didn't want to "exhaust people" with the physical and emotional violence Northup endured for 12 years as a slave.


"If I was to illustrate the book -- I'm not an illustrator -- it would be far more worse than what I filmed. If you count the incidences of violence you can see [there are five]," he said. "It’s not that many scenes, but within the structure of the narrative, it feels like much more. I’m very proud of it because I can't back off things like that. It’s about slavery."


"12 Years A Slave," of course, isn't the first film based on a true story to find itself at the center of some controversy during awards season. Last year's Best Picture winner "Argo" successfully batted away similar slings and arrows about its truthiness, while "Lincoln" and "Zero Dark Thirty" did not. For what it's worth, the timing of Cieply's story was questioned by at least one prominent awards writer:





For the full piece on "12 Years A Slave," head to the New York Times.


[via NYT]



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  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Harvey Weinstein


    Harvey Weinstein arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. The movie mogul talks to Associated Press in an exclusive interview about the "12-12-12" (Sandy benefit at MSG) documentary he premiered at TIFF, and how they amassed the biggest names in music. He also spoke about his TIFF premiere of "August: Osage County," and how proud he is of "The Butler." (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Harvey Weinstein


    Harvey Weinstein arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. The movie mogul talks to Associated Press in an exclusive interview about the "12-12-12" (Sandy benefit at MSG) documentary he premiered at TIFF, and how they amassed the biggest names in music. He also spoke about his TIFF premiere of "August: Osage County," and how proud he is of "The Butler." (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Juliette Lewis arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Juliette Lewis arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney


    Julia Roberts, left, and Dermot Mulroney arrive at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Chris Cooper


    Chris Cooper arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney


    Julia Roberts, left, and Dermot Mulroney arrive at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney


    Julia Roberts, left, and Dermot Mulroney arrive at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Abigail Breslin arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney signs autographs for fans at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Abigail Breslin arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Juliette Lewis arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julianne Nicholson


    Julianne Nicholson arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Ewan McGregor


    Ewan McGregor arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Ewan McGregor


    Ewan McGregor arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Chris Cooper


    Actor Chris Cooper poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Chris Cooper


    Actor Chris Cooper poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Actress Juliette Lewis poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • John Wells


    Director John Wells poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Actress Juliette Lewis poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Actor Dermot Mulroney poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Actor Dermot Mulroney waves as he signs autographs for fans on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson wears a ring as she poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " Under The Skin " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Under The Skin" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Jonathan Glazer, Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Under The Skin" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " Under The Skin " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " Under The Skin " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Jonathan Glazer, Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson, right, and director Jonathan Glazer pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Under The Skin" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Paul Haggis; Liam Neeson; Mila Kunis; Adrien Brody; Olivia Wilde; Moran Atias; Maria Bello, Loan Chabanol


    Actors Adrien Brody, left, and Liam Neeson, centre, pose for a photograph with director Paul Haggis, right, on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Third Person" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadain Press, Michelle Siu)




  • Paul Haggis; Liam Neeson


    Writer and director Paul Haggis, right, and actor Liam Neeson, left, pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Third Person" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Michelle Siu)




  • Liam Neeson Adrien Brody


    Actors Adrien Brody, left, and Liam Neeson, right, pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Third Person" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Michelle Siu)