Themes: Switching Sides, Terrorism, Political Unrest
Main Cast: Tim Robbins, Derek Luke, Bonnie Henna, Mncedisi Shabangu, Tumisho K. Masha
Release Year: 2006
Country: AU/US/UK/ZA
Run Time: 102 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
An apolitical South African oil-refinery worker and soccer coach is forced into terrorism as a means of fighting back against the brutality of the apartheid regime in director Phillip Noyce's dramatic look at the life of one-time political prisoner and freedom fighter Patrick Chamusso. In the 1980s, Patrick (Derek Luke) and his wife Precious (Bonnie Henna) lived a peaceful life until one fateful day, when on an overnight trip with his team, Patrick is singled out as the prime suspect in a bombing at the refinery. Placed in solitary confinement, with his wife and family brutalized by government agent Nic Vos (Tim Robbins), the young family man is eventually cleared of charges, but his life is in shambles. Devastated and distraught, Patrick soon begins working as a rebel fighter and political operative for Nelson Mandela's African National Congress. As the oppressed country's powerful apartheid regime continues to torture and torment its citizens, the now-radicalized Patrick must disappear from his family without a trace and go undercover if he is to aid in toppling the system that destroyed his family, and forever changed his outlook on the world. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Review
Catch a Fire fits in well with a recent string of handsomely shot international political thrillers, such as The Quiet American, also directed by Phillip Noyce, and The Constant Gardener. Toss in apartheid and the timely topic of newly radicalized terrorism, and Catch a Fire should have been a surefire Oscar contender. But it fell into relative obscurity because it never quite does what the title suggests -- it never really ignites. Since Noyce has proven quite adept at this type of film, and Derek Luke delivers a smoldering performance in the lead role, the film's lack of oomph may be traceable to its screenwriter. Shawn Slovo, the daughter of South African Communist Party leader Joe Slovo, writes for the second time about members of her own family, after 1988's A World Apart. But her story stumbles into an anticlimax after a wrenching first two acts; she seems to tell it more as historical document than suspenseful narrative. Tim Robbins' Nic Vos suffers from a lack of specificity that feels related. Robbins takes pains to create a morally complex character, rather than a one-dimensional monster, but this choice muddies Vos into something intangible and dramatically lightweight. As a result, the cruel tactics he endorses are crucially underplayed, depriving them of emotional definition. But the gifts of Noyce and Luke do give the film occasional resonance. Noyce, along with a team of mostly undistinguished cinematographers, establishes a real sense of mood and foreboding around these oil refineries, which encroach menacingly on the shanty villages around them. The precise production design extends to Luke, whose authentic appearance seems to have helped him discover an exciting new range and depth. Despite these strengths, Catch a Fire is that most puzzling of underachievers -- it has an unidentifiable missing piece that keeps it from being great. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
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; Nomhle Nkonyeni - Mama Dorothy; Michael Mabizela - Shaven Head Bomber; Eduan Van Jaarsveld - Special Branch Sergeant; Robert Hobbs - Special Branch Lieutenant; Onthatile Ramasodi - Chamusso, Lindiwe; Ziizi Mahlati - Albertina Chamusso; Malcolm Purkey - Joe Slovo; Robyn Slovo - Ruth First; Bubu Mazibuko - Betsy; Harriet Manamela - 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 LeMaitre - Border Official; Carel Trichardt - South African Minister; Brandon Auret - Army Commandant; Sibusiso Mhlongo - 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 Tumahole - 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 Brett Swanby - Roadblock Policeman; Thabo Bopape - Security Branch Policeman; Erno Van Dyk - Security Branch Policeman; Dirk Vermeulen - Security Branch Policeman; Johan Van Der Merwe - Security Branch Policeman; Bongani Manok - Security Branch Policeman; Mahlubi Kraai - Security Branch Policeman; Neels Classen - Blonde Policeman; Onalenna Mokoboto - Patrick's Son; Patrick Chamusso - Patrick Chamusso; 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; Sindi Nontshinya - Additonal Song Leader; Mirriam "Angela" Doshane - Additonal Song Leader; Bongani Dlamini - Freedom Singer; Bongani Maseko - Freedom Singer; James Zuma - Freedom Singer; Joseph Ngobeni - Freedom Singer; Khali Phithi - Freedom Singer; Malibongwe Yawu - Freedom Singer; Sibongiseni Phakathi - Freedom Singer; Thabo Magaretsa - Freedom Singer; Veli Mavuso - Freedom Singer; Vusi Simelane - Freedom Singer; Zakhele Mabaso - Freedom Singer
Credit
Delarey Wagener - Supervising Art Director, Miranda Culley - Associate Producer, Joel Kapend - Boom Operator, Susie Figgis - Casting, Xandi Van Dijk - Conductor, Reza Levy - Costume Designer, Leigh Tanchel - First Assistant Director, Phillip Noyce - Director, Norman Maake - Second Unit Director, Jill Bilcock - Editor, Sydney Pollack - Executive Producer, Liza Chasin - Executive Producer, Debra Hayward - Executive Producer, Charles Koza - Hair Styles, Jaco Espach - Location Manager, Genevieve Hofmeyr - Line Producer, Philip Miller - Composer (Music Score), Nick Angel - Musical Direction/Supervision, Alastair Rae - Camera Operator, Trevor Brown - Camera Operator, Peter Belcher - Camera Operator, Johnny Breedt - Production Designer, Ron Fortunato - Cinematographer, Garry Phillips - Cinematographer, Matthys Mocke - Cinematographer, Eran Tahor - Cinematographer, Tim Bevan - Producer, Eric Fellner - Producer, Anthony Minghella - Producer, Robyn Slovo - Producer, Weta Digital - Recording, Sun Glen Tshabalala - Singer, Shira Hockman - Set Designer, Stunt SA & SFX - Special Effects, Derek Mansvelt - Sound/Sound Designer, Peter Miller - Sound Editor, Linda Murdoch - Sound Editor, Rhomeez Petersen - Sound Recordist, President Kapa - Sound Recordist, Isaac Mavimbela - Stunts Coordinator, Cordell McQueen - Special Effects Supervisor, Clint Gordon - Unit Production Manager, Angela Phillips - Unit Production Manager, Shawn Slovo - Screenwriter, Shirley Mashabela - Production Assistant, Freda Botho Ramatiti - Production Assistant, Mohlaba Thaka - Production Assistant, Moeketsi Williams - Production Assistant, Giulio Biccari - Second Unit Camera, Peter Webb - Visual Effects Supervisor, David Booth - Visual Effects Supervisor, Murray Pope - Visual Effects Supervisor, John Swart - Animal Trainer/Wrangler, Emma Cooper - Unit Publicist, Peter Belcher - Aerial Photography, Fiona Ramsay - Dialogue Coach, John Atwell - First Assistant Camera, Justin Brokensha - First Assistant Camera, Adi Visser - First Assistant Camera, Alan Barnes - Gaffer, Vincent Fletcher - Gaffer, Guy Micheletti - Key Grip, Nicolette Van Wyk - Makeup Supervisor, Simon Leadley - Music Editor, Tim Ryan - Music Editor, Johannesburg Festival Orchestra - Musical Performer, Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra - Musical Performer, Jane Maguire - Post Production Supervisor, Kate Kvalsvig - Production Coordinator, Theresa Norton - Production Coordinator, Andrew Orlando - Properties Master, Michael Rossouw - Properties Master, Roger Savage - Re-Recording Mixer, Michael Thompson - Re-Recording Mixer, Andrew Wright - Re-Recording Mixer, Salamina Mokome - Script Supervisor, Patricia Wheeler - Second Assistant Director, Alastair Rae - Steadicam Operator, Garth Stead - Still Photographer, Andrew Plain - Supervising Sound Editor, Ineke Majoor - Visual Effects Producer, Moonyeenn Lee - Additional Casting, Charlotte Buys - ADR Editor, Andrew Jordan - ADR Recordist, Sound One Corporation - ADR Recordist, Buzzy's Recording - ADR Recordist, Chris Fellows - ADR Recordist, Shira Hockman - Assistant Art Director, Mokoma Ratlabala - Assistant Hair, Shane Meyer - Assistant Location Manager, Terry Stevens - Assistant Location Manager, Jean-Roux Viljoen - Assistant Location Manager, Marisa Lourens - Assistant Makeup, Mokoma Ratlabala - Assistant Makeup, Gayl Shelly - Assistant Makeup, Donovan Roberts-Baxter - Assistant Production Coordinator, Leah Katz - Assistant Sound Editor, Wayne Shields - Best Boy Electric, Gareth Viner - Best Boy Grip, Dorcas Maphakela - Costumes Assistant, Wolfgang Ender - Costumes Supervisor, Leonie Roberts - Costumes Supervisor, Maureen Wells - Costumes Supervisor, Damian Candusso - Dialogue Editor, Nada Mikas - Dialogue Editor, Robert "Bobby" Fischer - Dolly Grip, Jean De Kock - Electrician, Hendrick Manenzhe - Electrician, Alfred Manzini - Electrician, Justin Paterson - Electrician, Saskia Stuart-Clark - Electrician, Jackie Mayou - Extra Casting, Laura Wilcox - First Assistant Accountant, Rochelle Oshlack - First Assistant Editor, Tanya Hagen - First Assistant Editor, Michael Gordon - Greensman, Bertram Dagan - Greensman, Rochelle Sissing - Key Hairstylist, Beatriz Sequeira - Personal Assistant, Ben Breen - Post Production Accountant, Kerry Dibbs - Post Production Assistant, Joanne Goldstone - Production Accountant, Neil Baillie - Second Assistant Camera, Garth Scholtz - Second Assistant Camera, Adam Smith - Second Assistant Editor, Mark Biart - Second Second Assistant Director, Tony Bloemstein - Storyboard Artist, Brendan Tucker - Transportation Coordinator, Melinda Launspach - Set Decorator, Louis Marais - Construction Foreman, Patrick Gillingham - Craft Service/Catering, Miles Graham - Craft Service/Catering, Dayn Kruger - Craft Service/Catering, Gertrude Nyamankulu - Craft Service/Catering, Pamela Velapi - Craft Service/Catering, Leonard Baloyi - Driver, Shadrack Chauke - Driver, Adam Chokwe - Driver, Graham Clark - Driver, Andre "Corrie" Coertze - Driver, Steven Dietloff - Driver, Sidney Dlamini - Driver, Paul Gobo - Driver, Vusi Gumede - Driver, Leon Jones - Driver, Alfred Kepkey - Driver, Phillip Khulu - Driver, Elias Makhanya - Driver, Albert Maphosho - Driver, Patrick Mashilo - Driver, Sidney Masiteng - Driver, William Mathebula - Driver, Samuel Nelovholwe - Driver, Freddie Peters - Driver, Lorraine "Sophie" Ranta - Driver, Raymond Rich - Driver, William Rondganger - Driver, Albert Sandani - Driver, Hendrik Sebulela - Driver, Hamilton Tyibelo - Driver, Blair Slater - Foley Recordist, Mario Vaccaro - Foley Walker, James Matkeke - Generator Operator, Albert Mogoro - Generator Operator, Diana Nkata - Production Secretary, Rohan Scully - Runner, Mandy Smit - Runner, Yvonne Austin - Set Medic/First Aid, Vivian De Fleuriot De La Coliniere - Set Medic/First Aid, Diedre Kohrs - Set Medic/First Aid, Charl Pretorius - Set Medic/First Aid, Bheki Mathole Mncube - Swing Gang, Thomas Potsane - Swing Gang, Samson Siitholi - Swing Gang, Johnny Tembo - Swing Gang, David Tumahole - Third Assistant Director, Anthony English - Video Playback, Deborah McNamara - Title Design, Emile Rademeyer - Title Design, Retha Geldenhuys - Art Department Coordinator, Andrew McKenzie - Standby Properties, Shaun-Marlon Nasson - Carpenter
The film revolves around Patrick Chamusso, a young, apolitical man (played by Derek Luke) who is accused of carrying out an attack against the government, and a police officer, Nic Vos, played by Tim Robbins. Vos is in charge of locating the perpetrators of a recent bomb attack - Patrick is unwillingly swept into this investigation; he, his wife, Precious, (played by Bonnie Henna), and his family are tortured and abused by Vos and his government workers. Desperate, he says that he is willing to confess to a crime he did not commit to protect his family from torture.
In spite of this, at last the police conclude that Patrick is innocent, and he is released. Fueled by the anger at the injustices suffered, Patrick joins the Umkhonto we Sizwe, the guerrilla military wing of the African National Congress and becomes exactly what Vos had initially accused him of being. This decision was an act of revenge against the government for killing his friend, tormenting not only himself, but his wife as well. He attempts to execute a plan to attack Secunda, the refinery he used to work for, by first bombing the water supply facilities, and 15 minutes later cause the main explosion. This would allow the workers to flee between the two explosions, and not be harmed. Also, the damage of the first bomb would hurt the possibility of extinguishing the fire caused by the second, main explosion. Patrick succeeds in the first part, but the second bomb is discovered by Vos and deactivated. Patrick is arrested and sentenced to 24 years in prison after his wife goes to Vos and tells him where Patrick is because she fell for a simple trick in which Vos left photographs of Patrick talking to a female member of the ANC. Through her unjust jealousy she sells him out. He is released early due to the abolition of apartheid. Precious, who has remarried, is waiting for him and apologizes, and Patrick forgives her and apologizes as well. Some time later, he has been trying to adjust to normal life but the pain he felt wouldn't leave him. One day, he sees Vos sitting out near a small body of water opposite to the side he and friends are on. He creeps over and through some brush sees that it is indeed Vos, and though a part of him wants to break Vos' neck, he decides that it is not worth it, and the real Patrick Chamusso is shown explaining that he told himself then and there that only through forgiveness would he truly be free. He left Vos alone, and went on to remarry and take in over 80 orphaned children in South Africa to provide a home for kids who lost their families during the Apartheid struggles.
"Nic Vos" is not a real person but a composite of many individuals.
In a scene at the beginning half of the film depicting the white police and security personnel at the plant at Secunda searching the African workers entering the plant after a recent bombing occurred, the real Patrick Chamusso is seen standing directly in front of Derek Luke (who is portraying Chamusso in the film) when they are in line waiting to be searched before being allowed to go to work inside.
The name of the film is also the name of the 1973 album by Bob Marley and the Wailers. Bob Marley and the Wailers lent some songs, both lyrical and instrumental, to the film's soundtrack.
The wall of the ANC compound in Portuguese-speaking Mozambique contains the slogan "Não passarão", the Portuguese version of "No pasarán", a phrase popularized in the Spanish Civil War.
