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Chiwetel Ejiofor tries to survive as Solomon Northup, a free man sold into slavery, in the new trailer for “12 Years a Slave.”

Based on a true story, director Steve McQueen’s biopic follows Solomon’s fight for freedom and dignity in the pre-Civil War of the U.S. Solomon (Ejiofor), a violinist who lived in New York with his family in 1814, is a free man until he is tricked and kidnapped into slavery.

Featured in the film are Michael Fassbender as Solomon’s slave owner and Brad Pitt as a Canadian abolitionist who helps Solomon. Other cast members in the movie include Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Garret Dillahunt, Paul Giamatti, Scoot McNairy, Lupita Nyong’o, Adepero Oduye, Sarah Paulson, Michael Kenneth Williams, Alfre Woodard, Chris Chalk, Taran Killam and Bill Camp.

The Fox Searchlight film is slated for a special July 20 release in honor of Solomon Northup Day at Skidmore College in Filene Hall in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. “12 Years a Slave” opens with a wide release on Oct. 18.