'12 Years A Slave' is the favorite to win Best Picture at tonight's 86th Academy-Awards, and its raw depiction of an African American's journey from being a freeman who was kidnapped and forced into slavery, has a lasting effect on the audience.

Due to the fact that it is based on a true story, the memoirs of Solomon Northup, is a harrowing reminder of America's dark history, but this also made the filmmakers feel a strong sense of responsibility to create the best film they could.

Watch a clip of the '12 Years A Slave' cast discussing the film here

Brad Pitt, who is one of the film's seven producers, spoke with The Hollywood Reporter on Saturday after picking up five awards, including Best Picture, at the Independent Spirit Awards.

The 50 year-old revealed the production team were all so passionate about making 'Slave' that they "made [it] part of our mandate."

"The actors, directors that we believe in and we think are pushing the medium and more difficult material that might need that little extra push, that's been priority number one for us, and this was quite evident from early on that [it]...was special to me, very special," Pitt added. "I loved this film and we were going to get it done. It wasn't without its hurdles."

The film's director, Steve McQueen, has had a very successful run at the movie awards season, including winning a BAFTA Award for Best Film, and Pitt took note of the British film-maker's work ethic and approach to creating a cinematic feature.

"I really took note in Steve's confidence to hold onto a moment and letting that moment sink in to you to the point of, 'Am I making you uncomfortable?'" he continued. "You might come around to the other end and see the beauty of it, but that's very unique and it's certainly not the norm in today's filmmaking."

Watch the '12 Years A Slave' trailer here

The film depicts the 'real-life' story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Northup), who was kidnapped and forced into slavery, where he went from being a freeman living in New York, to a plantation slave in New Orleans between 1841 and 1853.

'12 Years A Slave' is nominated for nine Oscars at tonight's award show, which will air on NBC at 8 p.m.