Catch a Fire (2006)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Phillip Noyce

Writer:

Shawn Slovo (written by)

Release Date:

27 October 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History | Thriller

Tagline:

This Fall stand for something

Plot:

A drama about terrorism in Apartheid-era South Africa, revolving around a policeman and a young man who carries out solo attacks against the regime.

Plot Keywords:

1980s | Political Thriller | African National Congress | Soccer Coach | South Africa

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Tim Robbins	...	Nic Vos
Derek Luke	...	Patrick Chamusso
Bonnie Henna	...	Precious Chamusso
Mncedisi Shabangu	...	Zuko September
Tumisho Masha	...	Obadi (as Tumisho K. Masha)
Sithembiso Khumalo	...	Sixpence
Terry Pheto	...	Miriam
Michele Burgers	...	Anna Vos
Mpho Lovinga	...	Johnny Piliso
Mxo	...	Pete My Baby
Jessica Anstey	...	Katie Vos
Charlotte Savage	...	Marie Vos
Nomhlé Nkyonyeni	...	Mama Dorothy (as Nomhle Nkonyeni)
Michael Mabizela	...	Shaven Head Bomber
Eduan van Jaarsveldt	...	Special Branch Sergeant (as Eduan van Jaarsveld)

Also Known As:

Au nom de la liberté (France)
Hotstuff (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic material involving torture and abuse, violence and brief language.

Runtime:

101 min | Canada:98 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

France | UK | South Africa | USA

Language:

English | Afrikaans | Zulu | Portuguese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Ireland:12A | Netherlands:12 | Australia:M | Germany:12 | South Africa:16 (V) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #42758) | Argentina:13 | South Korea:12 | Finland:K-13 | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, South Africa

Company:

Focus Features

Trivia:

The title is the name of the first major label album from Bob Marley & The Wailers.

Quotes:

Patrick Chamusso: My children, when they speak if their father, they will say he was a man who stood up for what was right, a man who said he must do something now. What will your children say about you?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Tavis Smiley: (2006-10-26)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Hot Stuff

thought provoking and mature film

This film didn't have the attention it would have deserved, at least in Europe (no attention at all in Italy..) but it's quite riveting. Elevated and empowered by Tim Robbin's and Derek Luke's performances "Catch a fire" has the right impact and vibrancy. It should raise important political questions in a world obsessed with terrorism and it's also filled with well - staged action scenes. The apartheid era is properly described and the social history developing in this context is certainly remarkable, though not flawless. Compared to other productions dealing with the same subject this one offers a perspective a bit different and more mature and ends up with a surprising forgiveness