Catch a Fire (2006)

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.

Director:

Phillip Noyce

Writer:

Shawn Slovo

Stars:

Tim Robbins, Derek Luke, Bonnie Henna

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
Jay Anstey	...	Katie Vos (as Jessica Anstey)
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)

Storyline

A political thriller: the real-life story of a South African hero's journey to freedom. In the country's turbulent and divided times in the 1980s, Patrick Chamusso is an oil refinery foreman and soccer coach who is apolitical - until he and his wife Precious are jailed. Patrick is stunned into action against the country's oppressive reigning system, even as police Colonel Nic Vos further insinuates himself into the Chamussos' lives.

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Plot Keywords:

attack | oil refinery | south african | soccer | political thriller | 

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Taglines:

It takes one spark for an ordinary man to become a hero.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Universal [United States] Working Title Films

Country:

France UK South Africa USA

Language:

English Afrikaans Zulu Portuguese

Release Date:

27 October 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hotstuff

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$156,394 (Australia) (24 November 2006)

Gross:

$193,480 (Australia) (24 November 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Focus Features, StudioCanal, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min 98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Quotes

Obadi: Are you ready to die!
Rebels: Yes, commander!

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Connections

Referenced in Tavis Smiley: Episode dated 26 October 2006 (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Paradise Road"
Written by Patric van Blerk, Fransua Roos
Performed by Michele Burgers, Tim Robbins & Charlotte Savage

User Reviews

Powerful and sustained but at the end, an artistic flaw

I can't quarrel with those who give this film high praise for powerfully representing the complex humanity of both the oppressor and oppressed with first-rate film-making. Essentially it tells how a capable, peaceable bystander is bullied into becoming a "freedom fighter" (or "terrorist" if you will), at cost. BUT given most of the film's present-tense dramatic intensity, I was disappointed by the sudden lapse into voice-over past tense narration at the end, hastily tacked on it would seem to tell us that though the story seems a downer, historically it all turned out well after all. I'd rather have seen another hour -- maybe less -- that continued the tale on its own terms -- the subject is epic enough to deserve it. Or else seen all that end material separated from the film itself, an end flourish upwards amid the end-credits, performing the job but leaving the main story its own integrity. Too bad. An excellent film, strong but in this regard imperfect.