Washington, DC — Catch a Fire
1 hr. 42 min./Release Date: October 27
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic material involving torture and abuse, violence and brief language.
Distributors: Focus Features, Universal Pictures International
Starring: Derek Luke, Tim Robbins, Bonnie Henna, Mncedisi Shabangu, Terry Pheto
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
Produced by: Sydney Pollack, Debra Hayward, Liza Chasin
Before I say anything about the details of the film, I must say that in today's world, this film, in its depiction of the ANC, represents a perfect example of the old adage that there is a thin line between a revolutionary and a terrorist. That one man's terrorist is another man's revolutionary. It could not have been an accident that the film would raise such issues.
The film is a good depiction of 1980s apartheid South Africa. Few films have dealt with the armed branch of the ANC. It is honestly a shock to see it coming out of Hollywood. But, since Hotel Rwanda Hollywood has begun to green light films which would have never been seen outside of well known urban indie film houses. Hopefully films like the Last King of Scotland and Catch a Fire are the beginning of a trend.
Catch a Fire is a true story based on the life of Patrick Chamusso, played by African American actor Derek Luke, and his journey from being a worker and family man who does not want to involve himself in politics to a revolutionary, risking his life for his people. In the beginning of the film Patrick stays away from trouble. Even while people around him are challenging the authority of the apartheid system, Patrick ignores them, devoting himself to his work and the soccer team he coaches. This all changes after Patrick and his wife Precious, played by South African actress Bonnie Henna are falsely arrested by Colonel Nic Vos, played by American actor Tim Robbins.
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From this moment Patrick Chamusso is transformed and the film takes us to meet some of the key players in the ANC's guerrilla movement. In so doing, the film is also a history lesson for those interested in South African history and the role other southern African countries, like Mozambique, Angola, and Swaziland played in the anti-apartheid struggle.
Much of the film is both a battle between the ANC and apartheid South Africa and between Patrick Chamusso and Colonel Vos as both characters are involved in a game of cat and mouse.
With the soundtrack of apartheid resistance songs playing throughout the film, the audience is taken back to an era in South Africa's history that was not so long ago. There are moments in the film that are heartbreaking and may require some tissue. But there are also moments of triumph and joy. Overall the film is a fitting tribute to an ordinary man's contribution to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
