Catch a Fire

Plot synopsis:
The film begins in "Northern Coalfields, South Africa, 1980". It revolves around Patrick Chamusso, a young, apolitical man (played by Derek Luke) who is accused of carrying out an attack against the government, and an Afrikaner police officer, Nic Vos, played by Tim Robbins. Vos is in charge of locating the perpetrators of a recent bomb attack against the Secunda CTL synthetic fuel refinery, which is the largest coal liquefaction plant in the world.
Patrick is unwillingly swept into Vos's investigation due to his inability to provide a satisfactory explanation for his whereabouts at the time of the bombing (he was actually having an affair with a woman not his wife). Eventually Patrick, his wife, Precious, (played by Bonnie Henna), and his family are tortured and savagely abused by Vos and Vos's subordinates. Desperate, Patrick says that he is willing to confess to a crime he did not commit to protect his family from torture. At last, Vos finally concludes that Patrick is innocent, and orders his release.
Fuelled by the anger at the injustices he and his family suffered, Patrick joins 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 and tormenting not only himself but his wife as well. He attempts to execute a plan to attack Secunda, the oil refinery he used to work for, by first bombing its adjacent water supply facilities, and 15 minutes later triggering the main explosion within the refinery itself. This would allow the refinery's workforce to flee between the two explosions, and not be harmed. Also, the damage of the first bomb would reduce the possibility of successfully 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 he says he is sorry 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 anti-apartheid struggle.

Tags: revenge, suspenseful, murder, violence, romantic

Review:
This movie, set in the 1980's, depicts and contrasts the brutal oppression of White South Africa with the opposition of the ANC, most notably Joe Slovo, a hero of the time.
Told through the eyes of Patrick Chamusso, a gentle man whose quiet life becomes radicalized by oppressive forces, the movie is powerful, emotional and, curiously - for reasons mentioned, balanced.
The remarkable thing about Australian director Phillip Noyce's engaging political thriller, which is set in the South Africa's apartheid era, is that he has succeeded in making a thoughtful film in a genre strewn with pitfalls.Derek Luke plays Patrick Chamusso, a (real life) black African who becomes radicalised as a result of his wrongful detention and torture by South Africa's ruling white party.
The experience convert him to the cause as soon as he gets out and he's off to Mozambique to train as an ANC freedom fighter.Patrick's opponent is Tim Robbins, who plays Nic Vos, the Colonel in an anti-terrorist squad.
Though most violence is implied the film still does a very good job of portraying the brutality of the treatment that suspected terrorists in South Africa received.
Set in South Africa in the 1980's, the story tells the remarkable story of one man's personal journey from laborer and father to revolutionary of conscience.In addition, the subject of the film speaks loudly to the audience about the dangers of a government that misuses it's power and the sometimes forceful means that must be undertaken when peaceful measures fail.See the film, engage your conscience, and follow in the footsteps of a hero..
Patrick did nothing wrongat least as far as arson goes, the missing time was due to infidelityand as a result of being accused and beaten decided to do something his people could be proud of and try to stop the persecution.Director Phillip Noyce has brought to the table a tale that not only shows a sympathetic side to the black people of South Africa, but also a side of moral ambiguity to the whites.
All the scenes in the terrorist camp are intriguing and well-made, good people doing the only thing left that they can do in a world closing in on them.Emotions run high during the course of the film.
When Patrick Chamusso (Luke) is wrongfully charged with terrorist charges and his family violently offended by the leader of the operation Nik Vos, (Robbins) Patrick joins the rebellion to fight against the regime.As the film touches on the many tones of politics, racism, and economic problems in South Africa, the emotional and dramatic quality of the film is the beauty of it.
The picture shows life in Apartheid-era South Africa, it deals about the real story of Patrick Chamusso(Derek Luke), an oil refinery foreman, soccer coach and good father of family .
When happen an explosion in the refinery Patrick is arrested by police colonel Nic Vos(Tim Robbins).The secretive torture and sadism that follows in custody leads to his changing ideals.
Then he goes to Mozambique where is trained by the local terrorist guerrilla and he joins the ANC, African National Congress.This is an exciting and thrilling movie based on real events.This story about apartheid is very compelling made and deserving a fine treatment with poignant moments.It's completely convincing and makes a moving and powerful statement about the evil of the racism.
Superb cast with fine all round performances; particularly from Derek Luke, he does a very good job, he's surprisingly good in the role of dad turned terrorist, and excellent Tim Robbins as sadistic torturer.The remainder of the casting was also competent enough and did splendid acting.Evocative cinematography by Garry Phillips and Ron Fortunato.
The film tells the true story of Patrick Chamusso, a Mozambican who, like many residents of southern Africa, came to South Africa for work.
Many films about South African issues have been made - it's a pohotogenic place - and almost every one I've seen is more effective - like "Tsotsi" - because they respect the paradoxical isolation and global reach of politics there, not because they assumes the viewer wants to feel comfortable.
Patrick has a good life: he owns a car, has a beautiful wife and in his spare time, he coaches a local boys soccer team.The freedom fighters / terrorists of the African National Congress (ANC) are fighting to overthrow South Africa's white-led government.
The film doesn't dwell on the fact that Patrick is a refugee from the Mozambique civil war which ended in 1992, with over 900,000 dying from fighting and starvation.In many Hollywood films white South Africans are often portrayed as evil and sadistic.
At last we got to see this movie after nearly a year in the box.This movie is a true story of Patrick Chamusso during (1980-90s) South Africa's fight against apartheid regimes.
Derek Luke plays Patrick and Bonnie Mbuli plays his wife; whereas Tim Robbins plays Colonel Nic Vos who represents the monstrous evil of white rule.This movie depicted a making of a terrorist.
There are more than 16 regions within India where terrorist insurgency and naxal movements are flourishing to fight the evil of state government.The director Philip Noyce (Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games) has always made political statements and movies that show the ugly side of white supremacy.
Tim Robbin plays the Colonel (he has this next door looking guy)  but gives cold shivers with his controlled performance.The beautiful close-up shots depict every emotion of the characters and I was in the movie since its beginning.
CATCH A FIRE is a very entertaining and instructive film about the 1980s South African problem with Apartheid - a time when the minority white population had political control over the far larger populace of blacks.
It is based on a true story of one Patrick Chamusso, a fine working man not affiliated with the growing number of terrorists fighting to unite the black citizens to overthrow the Boers who is driven to alter his life to join the militant party of the African National Congress when he has personal experiences of abuse by the controlling whites.Patrick Chamusso (a fine Derek Luke) supports his wife Precious (Bonnie Mbuli Henna) and two daughters as a foreman at the oil plant.
Yet when the conflicted Boer policeman Nic Vos (Tim Robbins) begins to bear down on Chamusso as suspect in a fire explosion at his plant, Chamusso's alibi conceals the fact that while away coaching the plant's boys' soccer team he steals away to see his illegitimate son and ex-girlfriend and this bit of secrecy to protect his wife's feelings causes the explosion with Vos that confines him to jail.Chamusso joins the military branch of the ANC, trains with them, is captured, abused, imprisoned and finally released with the rise of Nelson Mandela.
Patrick Chamusso (Derek Luke) leads an apolitical and peaceful life with his family until one day he is wrongly accused by a policeman (Tim Robbins) for terrorist actions, and is sucked into the freedom fighting accordingly.
Another fault is Tim Robbins who portrays a character so indistinct and ambiguous (the film goes to great lengths to blur black-and-white lines between good and even) that he ends up being nothing at all.
The score in fact is an integral component to the film as it bestows it with a musical flow of sorts, whilst delicately juxtaposing the vivacity of the freedom fighting blacks with the stiff and strained white South Africans.
The film is dedicated to Joe Slovo, portrayed in the movie as 'Head of ANC Special Ops', when in actual fact he was the leader of the South African Communist Party, and a Marxist and terrorist through and through.
A powerfully directed and acted drama that touches on the issues of terrorism.And in a way it favors terrorism like V for Vendetta did.That it is not entirely their fault that they turned into terrorists.It closely relates to the Iraq war,of how the US army takes over another man's land and forces them to become terrorists to fight for their freedom.The rage inside those people unleashes their inner demons and the only freedom they see is terrorism,but that leads to even worse results.This is a true story about South African family man, Patric Chamusso(Derek Luke) who is an oil refinery foreman and he teaches soccer as well during the hectic days of the 1980's.All he wants is a happy life with his family and he's happy with what he has.He has found happiness and peace.But when he along with his wife are jailed without much explanation,Patrick could not take it.After being beaten and harassed for unexplained reasons,he decides to fight back.He chooses to fight back for what the CIA has taken away from him,his Happiness.He joins an organization and fights back until he realizes that the system itself is corrupt.He is being sought by CIA agent Nic Vos(Tim Robbins) who interrogated him during his arrest.Then begins a furious action thriller with striking results.Philip Noyce has given many political dramas,especially with Harrison Ford ,adapting the Tom Clancy novels.So,it's no surprise that this film is a good one.It's got terrific setup and builds up the characters well.It's emotionally effective and delivers good action.It deals with very thoughtful issues of terrorism and its victims.And it nails it with a great job.Director Noyce has given you yet another effective drama that is comparable or somewhat better than the Harrison Ford films.The script is really well written and despite having flaws ,especially towards the end,it manages to bring about its message.It's really trying to say something about the American Invasion on Iraq and the state of the world today or one's country.And how one makes a choice to secure his/her freedom through terrorism.Strong performances are the main highlight of this tense thriller.Derek Luke may want to watch out this year for his nomination and surprising Tim Robbins is also fantastic in an anti-villain role.Luke's rage perfectly shows the character's feelings.How he was abused and how he wants to get back on the one's who did this to him.His methods are dangerous but he sees his victory in it.The action is solid,and there are thrills to be satisfied.But above all it's a really good political drama.Satisfying in most levels.A definite look is recommended.A well made action thriller that doesn't go over the top or preaches on its political terms,and in return has a thoughtful message to spread.A fine effort and will satisfy everyone.3.5/5 7.5/10 B+.
True-life account of South Africa's Apartheid-era about Patrick Chamusso (Luke giving a solid performance), a young man who is falsely accused of terrorism and faces great hurdles thrown down by a relentless policeman, Nic Vos (Robbins in a low-key yet affectively complex turn), who tracks Chamusso's sudden change of proper citizen to national threat.
This film is the remarkable story of Patrick Chamusso who was just trying to live a "normal" life and provide for his family until driven to join the anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa when he and his wife are erroneously tortured after a crime they knew nothing of.The story demonstrates how one thing can send a person's life flying off track despite their best intentions.
Also amazing is the performance of Bonnie Henna as Precious, Patrick's wife.Written by Shawn Slovo (who also wrote "A World Apart"and whose parents were the white leaders of the anti-apartheid movement), the story is fascinating ...
The film is about South Africa during the brutal years of Apartheid (violent segregation), opening with a grim reminder of the seriousness of the issue, we see a montage of old BBC clips and a commentator giving us a brief overview of the situation, we see images of Blacks being shot, beat, and a world of oppression.
The film pays a great amount of time on Patrick Chamusso's family life, some may say this is to make the characters more human and the story more engaging, but it seemed to me that it should have dealt more with Apartheid.
Unlike that film, Catch the Fire explores deeply the conflicts and weaknesses of real-life Patrick Chamusso (Derek Luke) in1980-81 as he gradually becomes an avenger against the white regime, symbolized by Police Colonel Nick Vos (Tim Robbins), the chief of anti-terror operations.This is a true-story thriller director Phillip Noyce (Rabbit-Proof Fence) carefully crafts to show the flawed nature of heroism and the conflicted brutality of oppressors.
Along the way to the repeal of apartheid in 1991, the film reminds us about the dangers of police detaining and torturing without challenge (a resonance with today's anti-terrorist laws) and the intertwining of personal passion and the larger issue of freedom (the hero protects his family by keeping a secret that eventually endangers them and the freedom movement).The title evokes the revolutionary spirit of Bob Marley's music in America, and the "freedom songs" the black prisoners sing disguise their own revolution aided by the African National Congress, whose communist ties the film discretely acknowledges and downplays in favor of the personal-responsibility theme.Noyce achieves a balance between the needs of private citizens and the tyranny of the state, showing how all agendas eventually become public when freedom is at stake.
The film is a well set drama about people struggling for their freedom in their own country, South Africa, based on a true story.
At the end, it turns to be a bit too hasty, and important events which would have enriched the story are left behind.Eventually, I just hope this great film starring Tim Robbins and the excellent Derek Luke will general attention on problems in Africa, and not only those of the past..
He is shown as a human character, he loves his wife and kids, he sings folk songs, and he runs a South African Guantanamo bay; hes a bad man.I cried at one point in the movie, and was interested throughout, the pacing was good.
Patrick is angered into joining the ANC and sabotage the refinery himself.This is a good movie because it shows the reason behind Nic Vos. He's not a simple monster which is the easy way to go.
Derek Luke, an American actor gives a good impression of the man.Chamusso's main antagonist is Nik Vos. He's a Boer and the head of the state's anti-terrorist branch.
Perhaps this was never as powerfully demonstrated as during the apartheid regime of South Africa, and that axiom is equally powerfully portrayed in this movie, which focuses largely on the life story of Patrick Chamusso, played by Derek Luke.
His life revolves around his family, his job, and the boys he coaches soccer to, but after a "terrorist" incident at the plant (which he was not connected to) he comes to the attention of the South African security forces, who are given a face in this movie by Nik Vos (Tim Robbins.) From that point on, Chamusso's life is turned upside down as he and his family are harassed repeatedly with ever increasing violence, to the point at which Chamusso chooses to join the ANC and fight for the end of apartheid by returning to South Africa as a saboteur, targeting the very plant he worked in.The story is well done.
The movie takes place in South Africa during the Apertheid-era where the white minority is controlling the nation's natural resources and the black majority is trying to break free from the chains of this oppressive regime.
Our hero, Patrick (Derek Luke) is actually an innocent man but subjected to terror of torture in the hands of the chief of anti-terror squad, Nic Vos (Tim Robbins).
All in all, the movie is good for people who have not heard about Apartheid before - or even about South Africa.
Patrick Chamusso, a man who has always stayed away from the politics of his native country, South Africa, suddenly finds himself being accused for an act of terrorism at the Secunda electric plant.
Phillip Noyce, the director, working on the material by Shawn Slovo, has come out with a film that makes a case for people like Patrick Chamusso who goes from a passive man into a terrorist that will do anything in his power to make a statement against the oppression the white rule has subjected him and his fellow black South Africans.
especially Nic Vos' (Tim Robbins), the anti-terrorist squad leader's, decision to take the captive Patrick Chamusso (Derek Luke) to his home, have him have dinner with Vos' entire family.Along with Richard Attenborough's "Cry Freedom" (1987) this is one of the most gripping and believable depictions of the apartheid RSA that I've come across.And now for usenet69, whose postings don't cease to puzzle me - for like a chameleon usenet69 is at times WHITE, and then he/she is BLACK.The following comments were written by registered user usenet69 (click his name to view all of his comments):'Catch a Fire' (2006) comment 'You are all ignorant', 17th January 2007:"(...) You have NO idea what you are talking about.
In Phillip Noyce's Catch a Fire Luke's work is again revealing.He is glaringly miscast.As Patrick Chamusso, a foreman at South Africa's Secunda oil refinery during apartheid, Luke must transform from an apolitical family man into an impassioned African National Congress "terrorist" against the Boer's Police Security Branch.
Derek Luke plays Patrick Chamusso, a young family man working at the Secunda oil refinery in South Africa.
He's done nothing wrong, but Nic Vos (Tim Robbins), the leader of South Africa's Anti-Terrorist group, is convinced of his participation in the attack.
A good movie, with high production values.Tim Robbins is Colonel Nic Vos, and he sounds authentic with either an Irish or South African accent.
Based on a true story, Luke stars as Patrick Chamusso, a revolutionary in the anti-Apartheid struggle in South Africa.
And, it's not a role that makes him the good guy, rather quite the opposite, so it took courage to accept it.As much as any film I've seen about South Africa's apartheid, this film gives one a good impression of what that era was like for Black people there.