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:

Derek Luke, Tim Robbins, Bonnie Henna

2 wins & 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 | jail | colonel | coach | 

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Taglines:

The spark that ignites us, unites us.

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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:

De feu et de sang

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

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

Robyn Slovo, who is Shawn Slovo's sister, acts as her own mother, Ruth First, in the film.

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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

Man on the Moon
Written by Shane Mahony, Attie Van Wyk
Performed by Arno Carstens
Courtesy of Sony BMG Music Entertainment

User Reviews

Catch a Fire is powerful and emotional

Catch a Fire is surprisingly powerful and emotional. This emotion is assisted by a very moving soundtrack of South African music. The emotion is also feed by a brutal force of "anti-terrorists", with some of their interrogation techniques being very hard to watch for a PG-13 rated film. Though most violence is implied the film still does a very good job of portraying the brutality of the treatment that suspected terrorists in South Africa received. This film also does a great job of showing the terrorists side of the fight and offers insight into their motivation. The film focuses on people and their motivations and anyone can identify with almost every character. Despite being based on a true story and being a fairly realistic portrayal of the actual events, this film somehow manages to have enough action and suspense to have a fairly high entertainment value. A must see for anyone who enjoys historical films or drama/thrillers. 9/10