Catch a Fire

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Cast & Crew

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

Phillip Noyce
Director

Shawn Slovo
Writer

Tim Bevan
Producer

Eric Fellner
Producer

Anthony Minghella
Producer

Robyn Slovo
Producer

Sydney Pollack
Executive Producer

Debra Hayward
Executive Producer

Liza Chasin
Executive Producer

Ron Fortunato
Cinematographer

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Critic Reviews for Catch a Fire

Audience Reviews for Catch a Fire

• Mar 07, 2011

  In watching the compelling Apartheid-set bio-pic Catch a Fire, one cannot help but think back to Cry Freedom, Richard Attenborough's poignant but overlong portrait of slain non-violent South African activist Steven Biko (Denzel Washington) and his unlikely friendship with a white reporter (Kevin Kline). With Fire, director Phillip Noyce tackles the other side of the coin, chronicling the rise of an anti-apartheid "terrorist" and his antagonistic relationship with a white colonel, all within a breezy running time that keeps the action taut. In this R-rated South African-set thriller, hard-working family man Patrick Chamusso (Luke) truly turns revolutionary after he is wrongly accused and tortured for a crime by Police Security Branch operative Nic Vos (Robbins) in the early '80s. No stranger to political intrigue, Noyce (Patriot Games, Rabbit-Proof Fence) presents a 1980s-set true story made all the more timely by the events of September 11, a point he capitalizes on. After Vos (representing foreign govt.) tortures the innocent Chamusso (representing persecuted natives), the latter's motives for turning radically political become starkly obvious, paralleling a certain Western power's occupation of modern-day Iraq. Catch a Fire also gives a powerful combo in Robbins and Luke, who bring their respective characters' moral ambiguity to light with a gripping intensity--perhaps too well. Noyce shows us family man Chamusso's philandering while concurrently portraying Vos's nearly perfect home life with middling results. As the real-life Chamusso's appearance at the end makes clear, this is HIS story, not that of the top-billed Robbins. Perhaps, Focus Features just wanted to get their money's worth out of the Oscar-winner. Bottom line: Once you catch it, you won't let go.
  Jeff B Super Reviewer
• Sep 07, 2010

  3 3/4's..Decent bio-drama. A little rough around the edges, but decently done. Derek Luke does a fine job. The story of what happened in this country is never a dull one.
  Cynthia S Super Reviewer
• Dec 22, 2009

  Liloh: <i>And I realized nothing has changed. And I dont think South Africa will be ever Free from Whites and their terror against em.</I> This Movie was more than just a Movie. A great Friends recommendation and long review on her experience and the review on the movie made me watch this Movie twice. Thank you Lilo
  Wahida K Super Reviewer
• Apr 10, 2009

  A well-documented thriller that features a powerhouse performance from Derek Luke as a man descending into hatred and rebellion after government wrecks his ideal life apart. Robbins gives a very restrained performance in this one, a little too restrained for my taste, however, this movie is all about Luke. It's a familiar setting, with a few turns in the plot that I didn't completely buy into, however, the positives outweigh the negatives here. The ending packs a swift emotional blow, especially seeing Luke being able to interact with the real Patrick Chamusso at the end of the film.
  

  Dan S Super Reviewer

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