I was trying to think of how to explain why I understood how the word pornographic could be used to describe the violence in this film, when Mrs. Watson helped me out by posting a dictionary definition.  Thank you very much!  I have seen the word used to indicate something extreme or over the top, in the sense that something is obscenely more than the usual (whatever it is).  So because the violence in 12 Years is frequently up close, in-your-face, more graphic than typically seen in movies, and occurs for a longer duration than is common in movies, I think the use of the word pornographic is apt.  But, certainly, other people may disagree and that is fine.    I don't want to belabor the issue, just wanted to explain how/why some people might see it that way.

Davina wrote:

Tonnaree, just don't watch Shame with an elderly maiden aunt...if you get my drift.

Drift totally gotten.   I hear Mr. Fassbender is not shy.
 

Steve produces works of art, most certainly! That is his background and it shows in all of his films.

Yay! 

Don't they have original versions with subtitles in German cinemas? In the Czech Republic there are two versions, one dubbed and one with subtitles, so you can choose, or there is only one version with subtitles (or dubbed if it's a film for children).

Just a glance:

I had to take it way too quickly, the bus was already speeding up 

Watched it last week on a preview in Tate Modern: a beautiful film (relatively speaking, giving the topic) although, IMO not one in which one connects emotionally with characters,,which is - probably - director's decision. All performances are top notch but it didn't feel to me like watching "characters", rather archetypes: a wronged man, a desperate mother, a kind-but-weak-slave-owner, a twisted-sadist-slave-owner, a bitch and jelous wife, a good abolitionist and so on. B. is beautiful looking in this and his performance is as good as we came to expect of him, but even he has to fit the logic of the movie and doesn't emerge, IMO, as a character, but rather a type. I am not so much surprised that 12YAS didn't get GG for performance. I think it deserves Oscar for the best picture or/and for the best director, but it is not "actors" film (quite opposite to AOC). 

I have plans to watch it on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. In original version, of course! Thankfully one of the small cinemas in Cologne shows it in OmU. Sometimes it's difficult to even get OV screenings in the area if it's not a huge blockbuster or overly hyped movie.

The Odeon, apparently. Quite unusual, cause the OVs/OmUs usually show at the Metropolis. Never been to the Odeon, so I have no idea what that one's like.