Brad Pitt: Making '12 Years' was 'Inspirational'
Brad Pitt made his second red carpet appearance of the awards season at last night's Producers Guild Awards and ET was there to get his thoughts on being a producer on the critically acclaimed historical drama 12 Years a Slave, which tied for first place with Gravity for the PGA's top prize.
"For me this is a once-in-a-decade event. It's a very special film and it just shouldn't be missed," Pitt said before attending the awards ceremony in Beverly Hills. "So you want to get behind it. It was an amazing performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor - I think one of the best I've ever seen. And Lupita Nyong'o, it's her first film and she's just incredible."
Pitt, who also has a role in 12 Years a Slave, said he was inspired by participating in the project. "It's this inspirational story of a man trying to maintain his self
and his dignity, and get home in the midst of inhumane circumstances. I
find it incredibly inspirational."
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The movie's director, Steve McQueen, appeared with Pitt on the red carpet and explained that even though some people were reluctant to see a graphic film about slavery, this perception changed once more people actually started seeing it. "I'm very proud, I mean from -- critics to audiences -- it's been quite overwhelming. I mean especially when in the beginning people were saying the film was brutal."
When asked about doing many red carpets and interviews during awards season, 12 Years a Slave star Sarah Paulson said it's all worth it in the end. "Who doesn't want to be in something that's being very celebrated, and to feel that it's so earned and I just feel very honored. So if it means putting on another pretty dress and going to a party and talking about the movie and all that, I'm happy to oblige."
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Producer David Heyman reacted to his space film Gravity being co-honored with the top Producers Guild award. "It's all really exciting," Heyman told ET backstage. "Actually it's been a long journey, and there were so many wonderful steps along the way. And finally to have it turn out the way it did, and to be embraced by the audience and critics and the guilds, and now this, it's fantastic."
Watch the video to also hear Arrested Development producer Ron Howard talk about how the fans are completely responsible for the comeback of the comedy series on Netflix.