CATCH A FIRE

Year: 2006
USA: Focus Features
UK: Universal Pictures UK
Cast: Tim Robbins, Derek Luke, Bonnie Henn, Mncedisi Shabangu, Tumisho K. Masha, Sithembiso Khumalo, Terry Pheto, Michele Burgers, Mpho Lovinga, Mxo, Jessica Anstey, Charlotte Savage, Nomhle Nkonyeni, Michael Mabizela, Eduan Van Jaarsveld, Robert Hobbs, Onthatile Ramasodi, Ziizi Mahlati, Malcolm Purkey, Robyn Slovo, Bubu Mazibuko, Harriet Manamela, Susan Danford, Justin Shaw, Anthony Bishop, Marius Weyers, Richard Nwamba, Vanessa Cooke, Martin Le Maitre, Carel Trichardt, Brandon Auret, Sibusiso Mhlongo, Lennox Mathabathe, Kgosi Mongake, Eckard Rabe, Dan Robbertse, Ian Roussouw, Anrich Herbst, Jet Novuka, Waldemar Schultz, Mathoto Matsetela, Jabulani Ngwenya, Kgaugelo Mpharala, David Tumahole, Mantele Khomane, Khutjo Mmola, Dexter Nwanya, Kholosa Tshandana, Mpho Osei Tutu, Makgano Mamabolo, Jonathan Pienaar, Grant Swanby, Mduduzi Mabaso, Thabo Bopape, Erno Van Dyk, Dirk Vermeulen, Johan Van Der Merwe, Bongani Manok, Mahlubi Kraai, Neels Classen, Onalenna Mokoboto, Patrick Chamusso, Thandiswa, Zamajobe Sithole, Fiorha Ntshauba, Siphokazi Maroqana, Dolly Gaehler, Erik Pilani, Ezra Erasmus, Liaan Adriaan, Michael Phillip, David Mbatha, Sindi Nontshinya, Mirriam "Angela" Doshane, Bongani Dlamini, Bongani Maseko, James Zuma, Joseph Ngobeni, Khali Phithi, Malibongwe Yawu, Sibongiseni Phakathi, Thabo Magaretsa, Veli Mavuso, Vusi Simelane, Zakhele Mabaso
Director: Phillip Noyce
Countries: South Africa / USA / UK / France
Languages: English / Afrikaans / Zulu
USA & UK: 101 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for thematic material involving torture and abuse, violence and brief language
UK Certificate: 12A contains moderate bloody violence and one use of strong language
USA Release Date: 27 October 2006
UK Release Date: 23 March 2007


Synopsis

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.