sarah paulson's two latest roles are earning her accolades. >> master bought you to work. that's all. >> reporter: "12 years a slave." one in the best in history. the oscars. have you thought about what it would be like to win? >> i've been doing this for a long time. i've never been in a movie nominated for an oscar. i've been in some big movies. this is a moment that's not lost on me. >> reporter: in the pic, paulson plays mistress epps. >> i don't think i've played a villain ever. i would like to imagine that's because i'm not a villainous kind of gal. from an acting standpoint, it felt like a challenge. >> reporter: the raw film is being praised as groundbreaking. >> stay out. >> reporter: unfiltered portrayal of slavery. >> i feel like, you know, the hardest things in life to hold are the things that we should probably be investigating. and i think because it's an uglier time in our country's history, people don't want to look at it. >> reporter: but it is a great story of hope, too. >> and the power of the human spirit. >> reporter: were