Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 10/27/06 Home Video 01/30/07 MPAA Rating Rated PG-13 for thematic material involving torture and abuse, violence and brief language Running Time 1 hour 42 minutes Genre Suspense, Drama Director Phillip Noyce Writer Shawn Slovo Cast Tim Robbins, Derek Luke, Bonnie Henna Studio Focus Features |
CATCH A FIRE
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
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
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY |
... 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.
--© Focus Features
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.
--© Focus Features