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 Powerfully telling the story of a South African hero's journey to freedom, Catch a Fire is the new film from director Phillip Noyce (The Quiet American, Rabbit-Proof Fence). The political thriller takes place during the country's turbulent and divided times in the early 1980s, and in the new South Africa of today.
Derek Luke portrays real-life hero Patrick Chamusso. Patrick is a charming and loving husband to his wife Precious (Bonnie Henna), and a caring father to his two young daughters. He works as a foreman at the centrally located Secunda oil refinery, which is a symbol of South Africa's self-sufficiency at a time when the world was protesting the country's oppressive apartheid system. In his spare time, Patrick coaches a local boys' soccer team. Carefully toeing the hard line imposed on blacks by apartheid, Patrick is completely apolitical.
Academy Award® winner Tim Robbins plays Nic Vos, a Colonel in the country's Police Security Branch. The shrewd and charismatic Vos strives to maintain order in volatile situations, which have become more and more frequent as the outlawed activist organization African National Congress (ANC) rallies blacks against apartheid. Vos is also concerned for the safety of his wife and two daughters. He and his family live a world away from the Chamusso family ... until the innocent Patrick comes under suspicion and is arrested (in June 1980) for sabotage of the Secunda oil refinery. His alibi is compromised, and Patrick is desperate to shield Precious from a past indiscretion and keep his job. But he is ill-prepared to withstand brutal interrogations by Vos' men. As Vos further insinuates himself into the lives of the Chamussos, to Patrick's shock and shame, Precious herself is jailed and tortured. Although he and Precious are soon released from custody, Patrick is stunned into action and completely reorients his sense of self and purpose. He leaves his family to join up with the ANC.
Becoming a rebel fighter and political operative, Patrick is radicalized on behalf of his people and his country. He ultimately envisions a formidable and dangerous follow-up strike against the Secunda refinery, risking his own life and future. Change must and will come, for Patrick and his family, and for South Africa itself.
from the Official Site
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from Focus Features
Directed by
Phillip Noyce
Starring
Tim Robbins (Nic Vos)
Derek Luke (Patrick Chamusso)
Bonnie Henna (Precious Chamusso)
Mncedisi Shabangu (Zuko September)
Tumisho K. Masha (Obadi)
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)
Michael Mabizela (Shaven Head Bomber)
Eduan Van Jaarsvelt (Special Branch Sergeant)
Robert Hobbs (Special Branch Lieutenant)
Onthatile Ramasodi (Lindiwe Chamusso)
Ziizi Mahlati (Albertina Chamusso)
Malcolm Purkey (Joe Slovo)
Robyn Slovo (Ruth First)
Bubu Mazibuko (Betsy)
Harriet Lenabe (ANC Swaziland Operative)
Susan Danford (White Madam)
Justin Shaw (Young Roadblock Policeman)
Anthony Bishop (Roadblock Police Commander)
Marius Weyers (Police Brigadier)
Richard Nwamba (Mozambican Solider)
Vanessa Cooke (Widow at Mine Shaft)
Martin Le Maitre (Border Official)
Carel Trichardt (South African Minister)
Brandon Auret (Army Commandant)
Sibusiso Mhlangu (Passport Photographer)
Lennox Mathabathe (Angola Military Instructor)
Kgosi Mongake (Soccer Captain)
Eckard Rabe (Secunda Security Chief)
Dan Robbertse (Secunda Security Guard)
Ian Roussouw (Torture Policeman)
Anrich Herbst (Torture Policeman)
Jet Novuka (Black Security Branch Policeman)
Waldemar Schultz (Secunda Instructor)
Mathoto Matsetela (Pretty Girl at Phone Booth)
Jabulani Ngwenya (Soccer Boy)
Kgaugelo Mpharala (Soccer Player)
David Tomahole (Mozambican Corporal)
Mantele Khomane (Dancer at Wedding)
Khutjo Mmola (Female Railway Bomber)
Dexter Nwanya (Male Railway Bomber)
Kholosa Tshandana (Female Cadre with AK47)
Mpho Osei Tutu (Shanghai)
Makgano Mamabolo (ANC Woman Typist)
Jonathan Pienaar (Mechanic in Swaziland)
Grant Swanby (Roadblock Policeman)
Thabo Bopape (Security Branch Policeman)
Erno Van Dyk (Security Branch Policeman)
Dirk Vermulen (Security Branch Policeman)
Johan Van der Merwe (Security Branch Policeman)
Bongani Manok (Security Branch Policeman)
Mahlubi Kraai (Security Branch Policeman)
Neels Clasen (Blonde Policeman)
Onalenna Mokoboto (Patrick's Son)
Patrick Chamusso (Himself)
Thandiswa (ANC Funeral Singer)
Zamajobe Sithole (Wedding Singer)
Fiorha Ntshauba (Backup Vocals)
Siphokazi Maroqana (Backup Vocals)
Dolly Gaehler (Backup Vocals)
Erik Pilani (Guitarist)
Ezra Erasmus (Pianist)
Liaan Adriaan (Drummer)
Michael Phillip (Bass Guitarist)
David Mbatha (Song Leader at Secunda Gates)
Nontshinya,Sindi (Additonal Song Leader)
Mirriam Doshane (Additonal Song Leader)
Bongani Maseko (Freedom Singer)
Bongani Dlamini (Freedom Singer)
James Zuma (Freedom Singer)
Joseph Ngobeni (Freedom Singer)
Khali Phithi (Freedom Singer)
Malibongwe Yawu (Freedom Singer)
Sibongiseni Shabalala (Freedom Singer)
Thabo Magaretsa (Freedom Singer)
Veli Mavuso (Freedom Singer)
Vusi Simelane (Freedom Singer)
Zakhele Mabaso (Freedom Singer)
Written by
Shawn Slovo
Rated: 
(for thematic material involving torture and abuse, violence and brief language) |
Catch a Fire (DVD)
Catch a Fire [CD]
Original Soundtrack
Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela
by Nelson Mandela
No Future Without Forgiveness
by Desmond Tutu
Country of My Skull: Guilt, Sorrow, and the Limits of Forgiveness in the New South Africa
by Antjie Krog
Movie Posters
Vintage Film Posters
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