Distributor apologises for controversial ‘12 Years A Slave’ poster

Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup in 12 Years A Slave

As controversy trailed the Italian poster of Nigerian-British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor starrer, 12 Years A Slave, the distributor of the film in Italy has apologized for the promotional posters said to have been designed for the country’s audience. 

The poster, which features Brad Pitt as a central lead has been attacked as racist. Pitt’s role is minor compared to the film’s star Ejiofor who plays the lead character, Solomon Northup.

Directed by Steve McQueen, the film’s Italian release opens in February.

According to Associated Press, the Italian distributors, BIM, in a statement said the “inappropriate materials have now been withdrawn” and expressed “regret any distraction this incident may have caused.”

The controversial Italian 12 Years A Slave poster

BIM assured that the the new posters will feature only Ejiofor, a Golden Globe nominee for his portrayal of a freed black man, Northup who is abducted and sold into slavery.

The distributor explained that the posters featuring Pitt were aimed at “giving wide representation of what is told in the film itself.”